Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Ballybrit

In rough pastureland within the grounds of the Ballybrit racecourse. This circular rath (diam. 56m) was originally defined by an unusually low broad bank (Wth 8-10m; H 1m). In 1971 when the racecourse was widened the NW quadrant of the enclosing bank and part of the interior were removed under archaeological supervision (Waddell 1971, 73-9). The rest of the monument was undisturbed. A low L-shaped earthen mound noted in NW quadrant of the interior, prior to the works, proved to be the remains of a small double wall-faced drystone structure (max. dims. 4m E-W; 3.8m N-S; ) constructed of undressed limestone blocks. Its purpose was not obvious and its date was inconclusive as no finds were recovered from it. Slightly W of centre traces of a house (GA082-013001-) were evident, and E of this a Y-shaped earthen bank (av. Wth 2m; H 0.5m) appeared to be an internal division. Slight surface irregularities in the SW quadrant may have marked other structural remains and 5m to the S of the bank were the remains of another subrectangular structure (max. int. Wth 5m) (ibid., 73). No trace of a fosse was noted (ibid., 74). Finds included post-medieval pottery, a bronze spear butt and a hone stone. An enclosure (GA082-014----) lay 25m to the W. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Galway Vol. I - West Galway'. Compiled by Paul Gosling (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1993). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Updated by: Olive Alcock Date of revised upload: 30 August 2018 This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 14/1977).