Belpatrick Fort — Belpatrick

Locally known as 'Dunmore'. Situated on the summit of a high ridge with excellent visibility in all directions. The site consists of an oval area (62m WSW-ENE, 43m NNW-SSE) enclosed by an earthen bank (Wth 6m; H 0.6m internally, 2.2m externally) and sharply defined external fosse (Wth 3m, D 1m from exterior). There are several gaps in the enclosing bank but none of these can be stated with any certainty to be an original entrance. The interior is divided into two parts with the W half demaracated by a shallow fosse (Wth 5m at W, 3m at E) and external bank (Wth c. 4m) curving in an arc from N-E-S. The interior of this enclosed area (diam. 5.5m) is mound-like, though this may be due to the rise to the summit of the ridge. At the W end of the interior is a small mound (H 0.5m) (LH020-004002-), which may be the remains of a trig. station. In the centre of this area is a shallow fosse (Wth 2-3m) enclosing an irregular oval platform (diam. 5-7m). At the E end of the area is a roughly rectangular level area (L 6m, Wth 3m) with a slight bank, L-shaped in plan, delimiting it to the SW and E. In the area to the E of the dividing fosse and bank are three features (A, B and C), all of which are barrows. Site A (LH020-004003-) consists of a circular level area (diam. c. 6m) enclosed by a fosse (Wth c. 4m) on N-WSW and outer bank (Wth c. 1.5m) on N-WSW. The fosse and bank are altered by the outer bank of the enclosure on SW-NE. Site B (LH020-004004-) lies to the N of A, and consists of a level, roughly circular area (diam. c. 8m) with a fosse (Wth c. 3m) and outer bank (Wth c.2m) on the W. The fosse and bank are modified by juxtaposition with the outer bank and Site C to the NE. Site C (LH020-004005-) consists of a level, circular platform (diam. 2m) enclosed by a fosse (Wth 1.5m) and outer bank (Wth 1m). Without excavation it is impossible to say with any certainty whether the site was originally a hillfort, later used as a cemetery, with a later bank and ditch creating a smaller internal enclosure which could be equated with the ringforts of the Early Christian period, nor can the relative chronological relationships of the various barrows be determined. (CUCAP, ALK 48). LH020-004005-_01.jpg: Plan of the enclosed barrow group. The above description is derived from the 'Archaeological Survey of County Louth' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1991), No. 70, pp. 45-6. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 12 July 2012 This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 3/1998).