Hillfort, Clomantagh, Co. Kilkenny

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Hillfort, Clomantagh, Co. Kilkenny

High atop Mount Garret in County Kilkenny sits a remarkable circular hillfort that has watched over the Slieveardagh Hills for millennia.

This ancient fortification, measuring 205 metres in diameter, occupies the southern end of the ridge and offers sweeping panoramic views across the surrounding landscape in nearly every direction, though the hill's shape cleverly obscures the northern base from sight. The fort overlooks an east to west running gap in the hills, a strategic position that would have given its inhabitants considerable advantage in monitoring movement through this natural corridor.

The hillfort's most striking feature is its near perfect circular design, which the builders maintained despite the undulating terrain beneath. Rather than following the natural contours of the hill, the enclosing bank deliberately ignores them to preserve its geometric precision. Today, this boundary appears as a grass covered stony bank, roughly 4 to 5 metres wide at its base and standing between 0.3 and 0.5 metres high. The eastern and southeastern sections reveal the fort's original construction method; upright facing stones and low stone slabs on both the internal and external faces indicate this was once a substantial stone wall measuring 2.8 metres wide. The northwest quadrant shows more wear and erosion, whilst modern field boundaries now cross through the northern and southwestern sections of the site.

At the heart of this hillfort stands a large cairn that may be a passage tomb, catalogued as KK008-124001. This central monument suggests the site held significance beyond its defensive capabilities, possibly serving as both a fortified settlement and a ceremonial centre. Curiously, archaeologists have found no clear evidence of an original entrance to the fort, leaving questions about how people accessed this commanding hilltop position. The site continues to intrigue researchers and visitors alike, offering a tangible connection to Ireland's prehistoric past whilst maintaining its air of mystery.

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