Hut site, Drumlee, Co. Donegal
Co. Donegal |
Settlement Sites
On a modest platform along the western slope of a north-south ridge in Drumlee, County Donegal, sits an intriguing stone enclosure that has sparked local speculation about its ancient purpose.
The site consists of a circular wall built from stone, complete except for its northern side where a modern field boundary has cut through the original structure. Whilst the main wall is clearly visible, keen observers can trace the faint outline of the bank continuing beyond the interruption. The western side features what appears to be an outer wall, unusual for this type of structure, which curves southward to meet a field wall. This outer defence wasn't needed elsewhere around the enclosure; the natural drop on the western side would have provided sufficient protection on its own.
The interior of the enclosure reveals several noteworthy features despite the shallow soil and frequent rock outcrops breaking through the surface. A low, rectangular foundation sits fairly centrally within the space, oriented east to west, whilst a small circular structure hugs the inside of the eastern bank. Perhaps most intriguing is what might be an original entrance on the northern side, marked by a single standing stone, or 'jambstone' as archaeologists call it, with a gap beside it suggesting an ancient doorway.
Local tradition holds that this was once an ecclesiastical site, with the rectangular foundation representing the remains of an oratory, a small chapel used for private prayer. Whilst the archaeological evidence doesn't definitively confirm this religious connection, the site's careful construction and prominent position on the landscape certainly suggest it held significance for the community that built it. The rough, partially grass-covered ground around the enclosure adds to its sense of antiquity, offering visitors a tangible connection to Donegal's distant past.