Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Dún Sheáin

Internal diam. 29.7m E-W, 31.7m N-S This circular univallate rath overlooks the entrance to Trabeg from a low ridge on its W side. The enclosing bank has been considerably modified, particularly its S half which forms part of the modern field boundary system. The N half appears to consist of an earthen bank surmounted in places by a low stone wall composed of very small stones. It is 1.2m high externally and 1m high internally and there is a slight suggestion of an external fosse, c. 4.5m wide. This section of the bank is interrupted by 3 gaps, 1.9m, 3.8m and 7m wide, and a modern gateway, 3.75m wide, gives access to the interior from E. The bank in the SE quadrant is earthen with drystone facing on its inner flank. This facing displays at least two phases of construction and it is not clear if any of it is an original feature of the site. The bank in the SW quadrant appears to consist of an earth base, c. 1m high externally with only a very slight internal height, which is surmounted by a stone wall which may be contemporary with the adjacent field walls. A 4m wide stretch at S is composed entirely of stone and is probably a blocked-up gap. It is not clear which of the gaps marks the location of the original entrance. The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 394. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 6 August 2013