Cashelmore Explained

Cashelmore
Native Name:An Caiseal Mór
Native Language:ga
Other Name:Clogher Stone Fort
Coordinates:53.9344°N -8.5139°W
Location:Clogher, Monasteraden,
County Sligo, Ireland
Area:0.12ha
Built:c. 500–1 BC
Elevation:88m (289feet)
Type:stone ringfort
Height:2.3m (07.5feet)
Designation1:National Monument of Ireland
Designation1 Offname:Cashelmore
Designation1 Number:159

Cashelmore, also called Clogher Stone Fort, is a stone ringfort (cashel) and National Monument located in County Sligo, Ireland.[1]

Location

Cashelmore is located 1.6 km (1 mile) southwest of Monasteraden, to the west of Lough Gara.[2]

History

Cashelmore may have been first settled in the Bronze Age (2000–500 BC). The stone cashel walls are probably early Iron Age (5th–1st century BC), but could be earlier. It could be the Rath Clochair mentioned in the Annals of the Four Masters: 871 BC "Lugaid Íardonn son of Énna Derg, the 41st king of Ireland, was killed by Sírlám son of Finn in the battle of Rath Clochair."[3]

Restoration work took place in the 19th century.[4] [5]

Description

The fort has an internal diameter of 26m (85feet). The walls are 2.3m (07.5feet) high and 4.2m (13.8feet) thick.

Five stairways lead to the top of the wall.

The entrance is called the Steward's Gate. There is a mural passage and two souterrains. The souterrains have dry stone walls and are roofed with large stone flags.[6] [7] [8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The statutory rules and orders revised. 1 January 1904. Google Books.
  2. Web site: County Sligo - selected monuments. Anthony. Weir.
  3. Web site: Celtic Druid Temple - Ireland's Druidschool - Photos - Facebook.
  4. Web site: Exploring Sligo - A Study of Sligo's Heritage.
  5. Web site: Clogher Stone Fort - Lough Gara Lakes & Legends.
  6. Web site: Clogher Stone Fort.
  7. Web site: Clogher.
  8. Web site: Coleman Country - Tour 1 - Explore the sights of south Sligo.