Ringfort (Cashel), Casheloogary, Co. Donegal

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Ringforts

Ringfort (Cashel), Casheloogary, Co. Donegal

On a low hill amongst the drumlins of County Donegal, a modest arc of stones measuring just over 13 metres tells the story of what was once Casheloogary, a ringfort that defended this patch of Irish countryside centuries ago.

Today, only this short curved section of stonework survives, likely the remains of the southeastern portion of what would have been a circular defensive wall. The site appears on both the second and third editions of the Ordnance Survey 6-inch maps, testament to its recognition as a significant archaeological feature even in the 19th century.

The cashel, as these stone ringforts are known in Ireland, would have originally formed a complete circular enclosure, providing protection for a farmstead and its inhabitants. Unfortunately, extensive quarrying has taken its toll on Casheloogary, leaving just this tantalising fragment of the outer wall facing. The stones that once formed the rest of the structure have long since been carted away, repurposed for field walls, buildings, or other construction projects in the area.

Despite its reduced state, the site remains significant as part of Donegal's rich archaeological landscape. Set in what is now fairly good pasture land, this remnant connects us to Ireland's early medieval period, when such fortified farmsteads dotted the countryside. The survival of even this small section allows archaeologists and visitors alike to appreciate the construction techniques used by our ancestors and to imagine the complete structure that once crowned this gentle hill.

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Pete F
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