Fairy fort / ringfort in Ballybought

Situated in flat poorly drained land, commanding good views in all directions. Natural mound (diam. 25m; ext. H 2m) rising out of the surrounding marshland, enclosed by a poorly preserved earthen bank with no evidence of an external fosse or entrance feature. The site is densely overgrown with vegetation making detailed examination impossible. Depicted on the 1838 ed. OS 6-inch map as an irregular-shaped enclosure and as a sub-triangular-shaped enclosure on the revised 1908 ed. OS 6-inch map. In 1942 the ITA Survey recorded this monument as a 'Fort' and described it as being situated on 'a low ridge surrounded by depressions on E, S and W, prob[ably] due to streams, and so forming a sort of promontory. Good view over nearly level plain. Good pasture. The promontory runs N-S and is much overgrown with old thorns. It is divided by a low bank about 1' (0.3m) high and a fosse to N, 5' (1.5m) wide runniong ESE-WNW. To the south of this is a level ridge for 25 yds. (22.5m), then at the S end of promontory a raised area 1½' high (0.45m) on N and 5' (1.5m) high out of the plain on S, measuring 5 yds. (4.5m) N-S x 13 yds. (11.7m) E-W. On the steep S face are a good many stones, and what appears to be lime-mortar among them, so there may have been a building here, while the bank enclosed a courtyard. The old thorns suggest a gentle place, but there is certainly nothing like the marked ring-fort shown on O.S. [Ordnance Survey]. I find it difficult to interpret the place' (ITA Survey 1942, SMR File). In 1977 this monument was described as, an 'earthwork & the surrounding area are badly overgrown with bushes & briars, making detailed examination difficult. The earthwork appears to be subcircular in shape & is outlined by remains of a slight bank. On south the bank is set on a low counterscarp embankment. On north & east there is a shallow fosse outside the bank while on the west side the perimeter consists of a low embankment. The interior is fairly even & appears to be featureless. This earthwork is on a gentle rise in flat pasture land which is moderately drained. There are good views of the surrounding countryside from the earthwork' (SMR file 1977). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision: 22 December 2011