Situated to the east of the absolutely fantastic archaeological and picturesque spectacle that is the
Lough Gur area stands two stone ring-forts or cashels dating from the 8th to 11th centuries. They are
200metres east of a small lake that formed part of Lough Gur but was drained in the mid 19th
century. The two cashels were excavated in 1949 by archaeologist Seán Pádraig O’ Ríordáin and he
labelled them Carraig Aille I and II. Carraig Aille I was more clearly defined and encloses the highest
part of the hill. It is believed that it would have been the earlier of the two structures ie because it
utilised the highest position available. The walls of both forts are the same thickness, measuring
between 3.3 and 4.3 metres at varying points, the walls stand to a height of around 1 metre. Carraig
Aille I is oval in shape and around 42 metres in diameter. The entrance to both forts is on the eastern
side. Paving could be found inside the forts and in Carraig Aille I were the traces of rectangular
houses of various sizes, some larger ones measuring 2.1 metres in length but some ones measuring
only 1.2 metres squared which O’ Ríordáin surmised may have been a shelter ‘for a single person –
perhaps a sentry’. In this fort an iron-pin was found that is believed to date to the 7th century and
beads with ‘rope’ ornament that date to the 10th century. Carraig Aille II is located 43 metres
southwest of Carraig Aille I and has a diameter of 47metres. It is believed that this fort was built later
than Carraig Aille I as it is lower down the hill and also it has two buildings that are connected to its
rampart which would suggest that at its time of construction the need for strong defence had
lessened. There are several points along the rampart where steps lead up to the parapet-walk.
Though not as impressive as some of the stone cashels near the west coast of Ireland, the two
ringforts near Lough Gur certainly are worth a visit if you are exploring the area.

GPS: 52.51692, -8.51161