Fortress sights in Ireland
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
A
Navan Fort
Perched atop a drumlin a little over 3km west of Armagh is Navan Fort, the most important archaeological site in Ulster. It was probably a prehistoric provincial capital and ritual site, on a par with Tara in County Meath.
The Irish name Emain Macha means 'the twins of Macha', Macha being the same mythical queen or goddess after whom Armagh itself is named (from Ard Macha, 'heights of Macha'). The site is linked in legend with the tales of Cúchulainn and named as capital of Ulster and the seat of the legendary Knights of the Red Branch.
It was an important centre from around 1150 BC until the coming of Christianity; the discovery of the skull of a Barbary ape on the site…
reviewed
-
B
Reginald's Tower
The oldest complete building in Ireland and the first to use mortar, 12th-century Reginald's Tower is an outstanding example of medieval defences, and was the city's key fortification. The Normans built its 3m- to 4m-thick walls on the site of a Viking wooden tower. English-appointed local officials stayed in this 'safe house', as did many royal visitors.
Over the years, the building served as an arsenal, a prison and a mint. The exhibits relating to the latter role are interesting: medieval silver coins, a wooden 'tally stick' with notches indicating the amount owed, a 12th-century piggy bank (smashed) and a coin balance used to determine weight and bullion value.…
reviewed
-
C
Charles Fort
One of the best-preserved 17th-century star-shaped forts in Europe, this wonderful fortress would be worth a visit for its spectacular views alone. But there's much more here: ruins inside the vast site date from the 18th and 19th centuries and make for some fascinating wandering. Displays explain the typically tough lives led by the soldiers who served here and the comparatively comfortable lives of the officers. Built in the 1670s to guard Kinsale Harbour, the fort was in use until 1921, when much of it was destroyed as the British withdrew. The best way to get here is to walk – follow the signs on the lovely walk around the bay from Scilly to Summercove, 3km east of…
reviewed
-
D
Dún Fearbhaigh
A well-preserved stone fort Dún Fearbhaigh, a short distance west of Cill Cheannannach, dates from the 8th- or 9th-century.
reviewed
-
E
Dún Eochla
Along the road between Kilronan and Dún Aengus is the smaller, perfectly circular fort, Dún Eochla.
reviewed
-
F
Dún Dúchathair
Dramatically perched on a clifftop promontory directly south of Kilronan is Dún Dúchathair .
reviewed
-
Dún Eoghanachta
To the south of the Na Seacht dTeampaill ruins is Dún Eoghanachta, another circular fort.
reviewed