Enclosure in Fearann Dealúigh

This unusual enclosure is located on the S slopes of Fermoyle Hill. It is bisected E-W by a wire fence and the N and S halves of the site differ in both size and shape. The N half is sub-rectangular in plan with slightly curving sides and measures 18m E-W x c. 15m N-S internally. The enclosing bank of earth and stone averages .8m in height and 2.5m in width at base. There is a c. 6m wide gap between the open S side of this section of the site and the open N side of the S section. The latter consists of a semi-circular enclosure which measures c. 30m in diameter internally, its W side lying some distance beyond the W side of the N section. On its E side it is defined by a bank of earth and stones c. 0.5m high internally and 1.2m high externally; its W side is defined only by a low scarp, the interior being raised above the falling hillslope to S. In the S part of the interior are the foundations of a small structure, of indeterminate shape, possibly a hut; an area c. 4m in internal diameter is enclosed by a low and ill-defined bank of earth and stones less than .2m high. A disused field wall running W from the enclosure extends about half-way across the N side of the S section. The site is shown untitled on the 2nd edition of the OS map but is not on the 1st edition, and it may be of fairly recent origin; its function is not known. The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 1553. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 5 August 2013