Discover Alone ← Back to nearby map

← Back to the nearby map

Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Na Cluainte

Fairy fort / earthen ringfort
View what I want to do
No photo yet

Add your own picture and explain the route, parking, gates, paths or landmarks that help people find it.

Earn 5 points after the picture is checked and accepted.

Add your photo and local directionsShare what you found

What is recorded here

This ringfort was destroyed about 15 to 20 years ago. It was shown on the OS maps as a roughly circular univallate enclosure. From the landowner's description it would appear to have been an earthen rath, possibly with some revetment walling along the inner face of the bank. A souterrain (KE042-042001-) discovered in the 1920's appears to have been located close to this site and may have been associated with it. During the removal of a heap of stones, a circular stone structure, about 10 feet (3m) in diameter, was exposed. An underground passage, about 3 feet (.9m) wide and 3 feet deep, led away from this and in it was found a small holed stone (O'Sullivan 1931, 506). Many years prior to this, a larger souterrain was discovered 'on the other side of the fence and on the same farm'. It is not clear whether these were separate structures or whether they formed part of a single souterrain. The area is one of low-lying level ground on the SSE side of Smerwick Harbour. The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 656. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 7 August 2013

This remains an important historical record, but the official description says the monument is no longer visible or has been destroyed.

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.