While the Ring of Kerry has been favorite driving route for tourists, the two ancient stone forts near the village of Cahersiveen often get overlooked. The side-by-side forts can be found just outside of town where signs at a small car park point visitors to the short, rewarding walk to the sites.
Cahergal Fort stands as one of Ireland’s most impressive ring forts with its recently restored walls of dry stacked stones (no mortar!). The base is over ten feet thick and rise nearly twenty feet. The built-in “steps” allow guests to make their way to the top where they can circle the “crown” of the structure. From there, the bay, Ballycarbery Castle, and the surrounding landscape are in clear view.
Leacanabuaile Fort can be found a few yards away, and shows us how such forts look before the extensive reconstruction efforts. At Leacanabuaile visitors can also explore an interesting inner chamber built into the walls.
- Visit http://cahersiveen.ie/stone-forts/ for more info and location.
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- Cahergal Fort
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- The path to Cahergal Fort
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- Impressive stonework… nearly 20 feet to the top – Cahergal Fort
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- Atop Cahergal Fort
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- Atop Cahergal Fort with Ballycarbery Castle in the distance.
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- Leacanabuaile Fort – by Anthony Rue – creative commons
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- Leacanabuaile Fort – by Anthony Rue – creative commons
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- Leacanabuaile Fort – by Anthony Rue – creative commons
Cahergal photos by Corey Taratua
Leacanabuaile photos by Anthony Rue – creative commons
Written by Corey Taratuta
Corey hosts the Irish Fireside podcast and blog which has been named Best Blog of the Diaspora by the Irish Web Awards. His work has appeared on Google Field Trip, www.Lonely Planet.com, National Public Radio, www.WanderingEducators.com, www.BritMums.com, www.DiscoveryWorld.org, and elsewhere. His web community has been named finalist for the People’s Choice Podcast Awards and Irish Blog Awards, and his Irish travel program has ranked in the iTunes Top 50 Travel Podcasts. Corey’s Tips | Website
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