Durrans Fort — Cruicetown (kells Lower By.)

Located just off the SE end of a short NW-SE ridge on the SE-facing slope. This is depicted on the OS 6-inch map as a circular enclosure (1836) and as a rectangular enclosure surrounded by a wide fosse or moat (1908), and it is described as ‘Durrans Fort’ in gothic lettering on both editions. It was described in 1969 (SMR file) as a circular grass-covered area (diam. 50.5m NE-SW; 49.3m NW-SE) with some deciduous trees on the perimeter that sloped down to the SE (H 2.4m). It was defined by a drain (Wth of top 2.7-3m; Wth of base 1m; int. D 0.3-0.5m; ext. H 1-1.2m) and an outer earthen bank (Wth of base 2.5-5m; ext. H 0.5-0.8m). Outside this was a berm (Wth 3m at SE to 7m at NW; H 1-1.4m), a fosse (Wth of top 7.5-8m; Wth of base 2-2.5m; ext. D 0.7-1.5m) with an outer bank (at NW: Wth of base 5.5m; ext. H 1.5m) and outer fosse or drain (at NW: Wth of top 3m; ext. D 0.55m) that were incorporated into a field bank (at SE: Wth of 3m; ext. H 1.7m) and drain (Wth of top 4m; Wth of base 1.5m; ext. D 0.5m) N-E-S. There was a ramp entrance (Wth of base 3.1m) and a gap (Wth of base 2.5m) though the inner bank at SE. It was probably a rath that was adapted as a tree-ring but It was removed by 1995 (OSAP), apart from where the outer bank is incorporated into a field bank N-E-S. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by: Michel Moore Date of revision: 5 September 2018 Amended; 14 December 2022