Fairy fort / stone ringfort in Cahernead

Internal diameter 24m N-S, 24m E-W Cahernead/Cathair Néid (stonefort of Néid - personal name). This circular univallate cahir is situated on the summit of a limestone rock and has a good view of the surrounding land. It would appear to have been a large occupational site, for encircling this cahir are many depressions, circular sites and mounds. The cahir is enclosed by a 5m wide stone bank which rises to an average of 1.3m internally and 2.2m externally. In the interior, which is at a higher level than the surrounding land, are many mounds and depressions. In the NE sector, two large stones now cover a souterrain (KE021-017001-). According to the Kerry Field Notes (6/10/1945, 635) a large souterrain was uncovered when quarrying was carried out in the area. Partly natural and partly man-made, the chamber was 6 feet high x 5 feet wide, and across the centre of the roof was a large capping stone. On examining this they found ogham writing (KE021-017002-). The whole souterrain system has been closed up for safety reasons and cannot be examined. The above description is derived from C. Toal, ‘North Kerry Archaeological Survey’. Dingle. Brandon in association with FAS Training and Employment Authority (1995), no. 828. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 3 August 2013