Though nothing remains visible today, this extensive area once served as a midden; a rubbish heap where local inhabitants discarded the remnants of their meals. Archaeological surveys have recorded deposits of shells and fish bones here, providing valuable evidence of the diet and daily life of the area's past residents.

These middens are particularly significant as they offer insights into how coastal communities in Donegal sustained themselves through fishing and shellfish gathering. The location at Athphort, positioned strategically above the beach, would have provided easy access to marine resources whilst remaining safe from high tides and storms. Such sites are found throughout Ireland's coastline and represent some of our most direct connections to how ordinary people lived, rather than the grand castles and monuments that often dominate historical narratives.

The site was documented as part of the comprehensive Archaeological Survey of County Donegal, compiled by Brian Lacey and his team in 1983. This survey catalogued field antiquities from the Mesolithic Period through to the 17th century, creating an invaluable record of the county's archaeological heritage. Whilst the midden at Rossillion Bay may appear unremarkable to the casual observer today, it forms part of a broader tapestry of archaeological sites that help us understand the long history of human settlement along Ireland's Atlantic coast.