Part 2: Chapter 11: Kilfintinan Parish: Portdrine Townland
| Site A: RINGFORT | (Classification type 1(a)) |
| 6” O.S. Sheet number : | 62 (Co. Clare) |
| Reference : | 15.9 cm North; 37.7 cm West |
| Height : | 102’ O.D. |
| Shape : | circular |
Description of site:
Here we have the site of a single
banked Ringfort, built on a natural rise of ground, which offers a
commanding view towards the Cratloe Hills
to the north and the Shannon estuary to the south.
The site was visited on a number of occasions, at different times of the year, but every time I found it difficult to examine the ringfort in adequate detail due to the nature of the vegetation cover. Some of this was seasonal but most was of a permanent kind, which restricted movement within the site. Locals always remember it in this way.
What I could observe showed the site to be of a single banked type. This bank, in the north-eastern area, was 1.5 m high by almost 3 m wide. Though essentially of earth some small stones occur within this bank.
There was no trace, nor evidence to suggest, a fosse about this site.
Because of the nature of the vegetation cover I could only estimate the sites interior at c. 20-25 m both north-south and east-west.
The only entrance in use is to the east and this was probably the original one. It is 3 m wide.
The water supply for the ringfort may have been obtained from a spring to the south-west of the site. There is also a small stream further west.
For folklore on this particular site refer to section 4 of the thesis, volume 3, “Folklore on the Barony of Bunratty Lower” item 5.
Portdrine A: Vegetation covered site
