Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Gualainn

Internal diam. 32.5m A roughly circular bivallate rath (KE044-076----) situated in poorly-drained pastureland on the S slopes of Croaghskearda. A clochaun (KE044-076001-) and souterrain (KE044-076002-) have been recorded in the interior. The 2 enclosing banks and fosses are densely overgrown, and the outer fosse and W half of the inner fosse have been converted into drains in an attempt to drain the surrounding land; the E portion of the inner fosse is also fairly waterlogged, but the stream does not flow through this sector. The present dimensions of the outer fosse therefore reflect modern interference and the upper portion of the outer bank (c. 1m) appears to consist of upcast from this secondary use. The outer fosse is 2.2m wide and 1.1m deep. The outer bank rises 2.5m above the outer fosse and is 5m wide at base. The inner fosse is 4m wide at base. The inner bank rises 1.75 above the fosse, 1m above the interior and is c. 4m wide at base. The entrance faces E. Two gaps at N and S are modern features. The clochaun noted by Curran (no.1) is not now discernible, but one of the stony mounds in the interior probably marks its location. It was 13 feet (4m) in diameter. Curran also noted a souterrain about 16 feet (4.8m) from the inner face of the bank at S. Two channels or depressions which radiate out from the bank at SW may be related to this. The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 454. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 7 August 2013