Megalithic structure in Badgerfort

The following account of this monument is derived from de Valera and Ó Nualláin (1982, 77). ‘This site is shown on the original edition of the OS 6” map as a circular ringfort [LI022-030001-], with stones, named “Cromlech”, in the bank at the north-eastern side. On the 1897 and current edition of the 6” map a crescent of the bank appears with stones shown in the southern part marked ‘Cromlech’. Three stones are present here. One is a pillar standing 1.65m high and the others are small boulders each about 30cms. high. O’Kelly does not accept the bank as the remains of a ringfort but the evidence of the earlier maps together with the place-name “Badgerfort” strongly suggest that it was. However, neither the stones now present or the marking of stones in the north-eastern part of the bank on the original O.S. 6” map are sufficient to warrant acceptance of a megalithic tomb at this site.’ Site described by O'Kelly (1942-3, 243) as following; 'It is not possible to say with absolute certainty that this was not a dolmen, but it is most likely that it was not. It now consists of one large standing stone near which are two low boulders. The standing stone is of limestone and the boulders are a volcanic breccia. The boulders are not quite a foot high, while the standing stone is 5' 6" [1.7m], the base measuring 2' [0.6m] by 1' 3" [0.4m]. The two boulders are probably glacial erratics and the standing stone seems a genuine ancient monument. Neither is there a fort [LI022-030001-] at this site. The whole locality lies on a gravel drift, the surface of which shows many undulations. There is one such undulation just at one side of the standing stone in question. This is crescent shaped and may have been taken to be part of the bank of a fort'. Westropp (1904-5, 372) recorded that there was 'a defaced dolmen in the earth-fort [LI022-030001-] of Badgersrath, east from the church [LI022-018001-]'. Compiled by: Paul Walsh Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 9 March 2020