Part 2: Chapter 11: Kilfintinan Parish: Ballinphunta Townland
| Site A: RINGFORT | (Classification type 1(a)) |
| 6” O.S. Sheet number : | 52 (Co. Clare) |
| Reference : | 3.5 cm South; 26.4 cm West |
| Height : | c. 55’ O.D. |
| Shape : | circular |
Description of site:
Here we have the site of a damaged
ringfort which does not appear on any editions of the O.S. sheets. Locals,
however, know it as the site
of a ringfort. On examination it was found to be in a poor condition
though vegetation was no real problem. However within the site stones
occur covering sections of the ringfort. These were said to have been
put there during land clearance and reclamation some years previously.
This site is of the single banked type which can be traced over most of the ringfort. It tends to be low with an average height of only ¼ - ½ m, though in part of the south reaches 1 m high. On average it is between 1 ½ - 2 m wide.
There is no trace, or evidence, to suggest the existence of a fosse about the site.
The site has a small internal diameter of c. 18 m both N/S and E/W.
Due to the damaged nature of this ringfort it is difficult to be definite as to where the original entrance was. The main (i.e. the widest and most clearly defined) one now in use is to the east. This is 2 m wide. It should be noted, though, that cattle grazing on and around this site may have been responsible for the width of the eastern entrance.
Water is readily available in the area about this ringfort. To the immediate west is a small S. to N. flowing stream. Water would also be available in the marshy area to the east of the site.
There is no folklore associated with this site.
Ballinphunta A: Shot towards vegetation covered site, from the east
