Hillfort, Capard, Co. Laois
Co. Laois |
Forts
Perched on the northeastern end of the Ridge of Capard near Rosenallis, this circular hillfort commands sweeping views across County Laois.
The circular enclosure, measuring roughly 100 metres north to south and 90 metres east to west, crowns the northeastern end of the Ridge of Capard. From this strategic vantage point, the fort's builders could survey the River Barrow to the northeast whilst maintaining excellent visibility across the lowlands in nearly every direction.
The site's defensive earthworks consist of a single earthen bank, standing about 2 metres high and 1.5 metres wide, which encircles the hilltop's natural contours. A simple entrance, identified through aerial photographs from around 1950, breaks the circuit at the north northwest. Whilst no evidence of a defensive ditch has been found, the enclosure's elevated position would have provided its occupants with considerable natural protection; any approaching visitors or threats would have been visible long before reaching the summit.
Today, dense forestry blankets much of the hill ridge, including the fort itself, making detailed archaeological survey challenging. The tree cover has taken its toll on the ancient earthworks, with roots and growth disturbing sections of the bank over the decades. Despite these modern intrusions, the essential form of this hilltop enclosure remains readable in the landscape, a testament to the engineering skills of its Iron Age creators. The site covers approximately 0.9 hectares and was first recorded on Ordnance Survey maps in their second edition, with more detailed documentation following P. David Sweetman's survey work in 1995.
Tags
- ancient earthworks, County Laois, hillforts, Iron Age Ireland, Ridge of Capard
