Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Glantane

This souterrain (KE045-028001-) and possible ringfort (KE045-028----) are located on the steep S slopes of Flemingstown mountain, at the boundary between the enclosed fields and the open mountain pasture. The souterain was revealed when a N-S field fence was removed in 1979, and the possible existence of a ringfort is indicated by a curve in the E-W field bank which overlies part of the souterrain. The latter was inspected by Kelly (1982-3, 5-7) shortly after its discovery. The souterrain is L-shaped in plan and is comprised of 3 chambers linked by small passages. At present, access is gained through a hole in the roof at the S end of the chamber (1). (1) This is a large rectangular chamber aligned roughly N-S. It measures 3.1m in length, 1.2m in average width and a maximum of 1.72m in height. The drystone-built walls are slightly corbelled and, at the level of the 3 roofing slabs, the passage is only .6m wide. The upper part of the N wall has collapsed inwards. A porthole slab at the E side of the S wall marks the original entrance to this chamber. The aperture measures .35m in height and .37m in width and gives access to a short creepway which opens onto the W end of the N wall of chamber (2). The creepway is 1.2m long, an average of .5m wide and a maximum of .6m high. Its walls are of drystone construction and it is roofed by 3 slabs. A low sill stone spans the S end of the passage creating a low step down into chamber (2). (2) This is a large rectangular chamber, aligned roughly ENE-WSW. The creepway opens off its N wall about .9m from its W end. The chamber measures 3.2m in length, 1m in width and up to 1.55m in height. The drystone-built walls are slightly corbelled, and the chamber is reduced to a width of .8m at the level of the 4 roofing slabs. The 2m long passage which links chambers (2) and (3) opens off the E end of the former and curves gently to N to meet the latter at an angle of c. 45 degrees. It is an average of .6m wide and is up to .65m high. The walls are almost vertical, and the passage is roofed by 5 large slabs. The original entrance to the souterrain is in the roof of this passage and large jambs are set in the walls on either side of this. (3) This is a tiny beehive-shaped chamber, constructed of corbelled drystone masonry resting on a foundation course of upright slabs. The chamber measures 1m in diameter and .7m in height and is roofed by a single slab. The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 443. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 7 August 2013