Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Baile An Gharráin,baile Ristín

Internal diam. 33.7m N-S, 37.2m E-W. A univallate rath situated on the S slopes of Knockmoylemore, overlooking the lower valley of the Garfinny river and its tributaries. The site is enclosed by an earthen bank and fosse and contains the remains of a clochaun and other unclassified features. Where best preserved the bank is 1.7m high. Its W section forms part of the townland boundary, and the N and E sections are surmounted by later drystone walling. The entrance consists of a 1m wide gap through this later walling at E. The fosse is up to 1m deep and 4.4m wide, but it is only faintly discernible around the S half of the site. A stony ledge bisects the interior WSW-ENE, the N sector being raised c. 0.5m above the remainder. In the latter area, a triangular space adjoining the bank is defined by 2 rows of low upright stones, c. 0.5m high; its function is not known. A circular clochaun KE043-199001-, 4.7m in diameter internally, is built against the bank at WSW. The drystone-built wall is c. 1m thick and up to c. 1m in height but much of it is now defaced. The ill-defined entrance gap faces SE. There is a partly stone-lined depression in the top of the ringfort bank directly W of the hut. It measures 2.5m x 1.5m x 1m deep. Its function is not known but a 2nd hollow a little to S may have been caused by animal burrowing. It seems clear that this site has been modified and some of the internal features may be secondary. The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 297. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 6 August 2013