Souterrain, Málainn Mhóir, Co. Donegal

This almost perfectly circular structure measures 14 metres across its interior, whilst the collapsed stone walls that once protected it extend the total diameter to nearly 30 metres. The site occupies a strategic position on poor quality land running east-southeast to west-northwest, offering commanding views across the valley below.

The archaeology of this cashel reveals intriguing glimpses into its past inhabitants' lives. Beneath the eastern wall, archaeologists have discovered a layer containing limpets and periwinkles embedded in soil mixed with peat and charcoal; evidence of ancient meals consumed by those who once called this fort home. The northeastern section shows how nature has gradually reclaimed the structure, with peat and heather now covering portions of the defensive wall. These shellfish remains suggest the inhabitants supplemented their diet with coastal resources, despite the inland location of the fort.

Local tradition holds that a souterrain, one of those mysterious underground passages common to Irish ringforts and cashels, exists somewhere within or near the site. These subterranean chambers typically served as storage spaces or places of refuge during raids, though archaeological surveys haven't yet confirmed its presence here. The cashel forms part of County Donegal's rich archaeological landscape, documented in the comprehensive 1983 Archaeological Survey that catalogued field antiquities from the Mesolithic period through to the 17th century.