forts historical ireland

Eochaill fort is situated about 1km south/south-east of the old lighthouse. It is one of the great forts of the island and has two concentric dry masonery ramparts, the inner one terraced. In the inner enclosure are the remains of two clochans. The fields to the west and south are littered with ancient remains....

Although ring-forts of earth and stone had their origins in pre-history, possibly in the Bronze Age, this type of enclosed settlement continued in use for a very long time and became very numerous in the early Christian period. Some, indeed, were rebuilt or extended in the Middle Ages as defensible homesteads even though by that time mortared castles and tower-houses dominated the countryside. Cahermacnaghten, 4 miles east-north-east of the spa resort of Lisdoonvarna, was occupied as late...

This magnificent caher or stone fort, is the most impressive and awe-inspiring of all the Aran Forts. Its three outer walls, with the exception of the remnants of the inner curtain, have disappeared but the massive fortress wall itself, built of stones, is almost intact.

Standing with its northern part on a cliff over a small valley, it measures 70m from north to south and 35m from east to west....

An exceptionally interesting though sadly defaced cashel, 1 mile north-east of Kilfenora. The ring-wall encloses an oval space 150 feet by 130 feet and survives to a height of 12 feet or so. Although incomplete it shows a fair standard of building work, incorporating unusually large blocks of stone in the construction of its lower courses. An abundance of easily quarried limestone accounts for the remarkable number of stone forts in the Burren (about 500 are known in the area of 100 square mi...

There are three concentric walls, all abutting on to the edge of the cliff, as at Dun Aenghus on the Aran Islands. The innermost wall, which is also the thickest forms an almost complete circle, but the two outer walls (connected with each other by subsidiary walls, like a fan) only form a semicircle. The innermost wall contains three chambers within the wall, and excavation by the Harvard Archaeological Expedition to Ireland in 1934 showed that the roughly circular area it enclosed had a doze...

The first significant hill outside Glaslough on the Emyvale road, right, is Drumbanagher Hill, site of a 10th century Viking fort, probably established as a springboard from which to attack Old Donagh Church. The opening shots of the war between James II and William III of England were fired here in 1688. William's victory in that war, which was secured at Aughrim in Galway in 1691, opened the door for the most repressive Penal Laws in 1695, which restricted the rights of Catholics to educat...

Pleasantly situated on a hill overlooking Lough Gara, this is a fine stone fort built of stones which get progressively smaller near the top. Inside are stairways leading to the ramparts, as well as a wall niche under one of the stairs. There are two souterrains in the interior. It was partially rebuilt in the 18th century....

The 'Royal County' of Meath boasts a dramatic history and proud heritage that no other country can match. Man has settled here for over 8,000 years and everywhere one turns one can see surviving monuments and relics scattered profusely beside the rolling rivers and on the lush plains. Formerly one of the five historic provinces of Ireland, it was from here that the ancient roads of Ireland radiated, spreading Royal Meath's influence and affluence to all the corners of Ireland....

A ringfort with three concentric banks which may have been a meeting place and the site of an ancient fair. Two massive stones which once formed the gates of entry to the fort are lying in a field outside the north-eastern part of the fort.

In the interior of the fort is a simple 15th century church, choked in undergrowth, and possibly built by the O'Kennedys....

Majestically towering over the Laois countryside is the Rock of Dunamaise - the remains of a celtic fortification. This is one of Ireland's most famous landmarks and has a long and diverse history attached to it. Aoife, daughter of the King of Leinster received it as a part of her dowry on her marriage to Strongbow. The fort was also part of the O'Moore territory. It is a gathering point for the O'Lalor Clan Rally which takes place in October....