Fairy fort / stone ringfort in Knockfennell

The precise location of a possible hilltop cashel site on Knockfennell has not been identified. The site was described by FitzGerald (1826 , 313) as follows; 'On the W. pinnacle of Knockfennell, is one of the strongest Danish forts in the country; it is circular, and about 360 feet [110m] in circumference; the wall that surrounds it is ten feet [3m] in thickness, and must have been proportionably high, from the quantity of stone that has fallen outside. That part of the wall that still remains is built of large stones nearly three feet every way, regularly fitted to each other, and the interstices filled up with small ones; but there is no sign of mortar. From this down to the lake, walls of similar construction extend, at about sixty yards a[55m] sunder to the N. side of the hill, where they terminate at some deep marsh or morass; these walls are connected by others of the same kind'. Westropp (1906-7, 181) recorded the following details about a possible castle on Knockfennell which he was very doubtful about; 'A strongly-fortified hill (FitzGerald i., p. 313) in 1827. It had to the west a stone fort built of blocks 3 feet [0.9m] square, with small ones inserted, the wall 10 feet [3m] thick and high, and 120 feet [40m] across the ring, with long walls, 60 yards apart, down the north slope, and at the east end was a lesser fort and similar long walls. Even in 1840 it was only a ring and heap of stones. Now only a slight mound remains. It is a reputed C[astle]. so we give it to complete the strongholds of Lough Gur. Doubtful site'. The 1826 description would suggest that this was the site of a hilltop cashel and not the remains of a medieval castle. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 10 December 2020