23rd Fieldwork Trip - 24th September 2017 - Ring Fort

On 24th September 2017 Eamonn Pearse of the Togher Historical Assoc. along with Eamonn Twomey paid a visit to Chetwynd's oldest natural structure - the famed Ring Fort. This over looks the Laune Valley with a commanding view of the surrounding countryside. It is thought it dates back to the Bronze Age and is over 80ft in diametre - sadly its ditch has since been infilled. Originally it would most probably have had high stakes erected on the ditchtop for added protection from wolves and raiders and a wooden house inside for both family and livestock. In fact it would have been the owners actual home where he kept his cattle and family at night while during the day the cattle would have grazed nearby with the family sowing crops and performing other tasks. It must be remembered that when this was originally constructed , the area would not have been shired ; that is to say no field boundaries but open ground save for the heavy forest which surrounded it. Upon sight of enemy raiders emerging from the forest , the owner would have hurriedly rushed his family and cattle into the ring fort and fought off the intruders from the safety of the fort. Over time , these would have been abandoned and with the removal of any timber materials , would have become part of the local folklore attached to Fairy Rings , which the superstitious locals firmly believed in , having no knowledge of the original occupants. Thankfully , this has helped ensure its survival so that we may still have a tangible link to the past.

Approach to the Ring Fort/Fairy Fort

Closer view of Ring Fort

View of countryside from Ring Fort

Entrance to Ring Fort

Interior view of Ring Fort