The Modern Antiquarian. Stone Circles, Ancient Sites, Neolithic Monuments, Ancient Monuments, Prehistoric Sites, Megalithic MysteriesThe Modern Antiquarian

 

Clogher

Stone Fort / Dun

<b>Clogher</b>Posted by NucleusImage © Uwe Häberle 05/2010
Nearest Town:Ballaghaderreen (6km SW)
OS Ref (IE):   M664985 / Sheet: 32
Latitude:53° 56' 4.92" N
Longitude:   8° 30' 41.89" W

Added by FourWinds


Discussion Topics0 discussions
Start a topic



Show map   (inline Google Map)

Images (click to view fullsize)

Add an image Add an image
<b>Clogher</b>Posted by bogman <b>Clogher</b>Posted by bogman <b>Clogher</b>Posted by bogman <b>Clogher</b>Posted by bogman <b>Clogher</b>Posted by bogman <b>Clogher</b>Posted by bogman <b>Clogher</b>Posted by Nucleus <b>Clogher</b>Posted by Nucleus <b>Clogher</b>Posted by Nucleus <b>Clogher</b>Posted by Nucleus <b>Clogher</b>Posted by Nucleus

Fieldnotes

Add fieldnotes Add fieldnotes
The coordinates given are incorrect, it is almost impossible to find as in the middle of a very wooded area, you need to turn right inside the gate and walk about 100m before heading perpendicular to the road

Correct GPS co-ordinates are
53.93443 N
08.51391 W
bogman Posted by bogman
10th June 2013ce
Edited 10th June 2013ce

Folklore

Add folklore Add folklore
Surely this impressive structure has to be the location for this extensive amount of folklore. It's on top of a knoll and surrounded by trees, so this also matches the description. But please dispute this if you know better. The stories were written down as part of the Schools Collection of the 1930s (a project to digitise them is currently in progress at duchas.ie).
In the townland of Clogher there is a fairy fort. This fort, which is situated on a little mound, is circular in shape and is almost entirely surrounded by trees. Close to the fort is a by-road. Tradition tells us that many strange sights have been seen around this spot.

Some years ago some of the neighbouring children were passing by and to their astonishment they heard music, singing, laughter and ringing of bells. The children were horror stricken as they had often heard that the place was haunted with fairies and in amazement they turned towards the fort and there beheld a large crowd of what they thought were children. These were dressed in the most beautiful shades and colours and they formed a circle around the fort. The children now became terrified and grasping hold of each other they sat down on the fence as they could not seem to know where they were. The music still continued to ring in their ears and the laughter and talk which they could not understand also continued. After a time a bell rang, the music stopped, the fairies disappeared and everything was left unchanged and the children returned home to relate to their parents all that had happened. The parents on hearing the children describe the little folk whom they had seen informed them that these were fairies.

Another traditional story tells us of a neighbouring man who was one night returning home from visiting and he crossed the hill known as "Mullach na leice" wherein it is supposed there is a valuable treasure secluded. On hearing very loud talk he turned around but could perceive nothing. He continued on his journey but had scarcely taken a few paces until his path became remarkably bright and on gazing around he saw about twenty or twenty-five very luminous lights which soon passed by with great rapidity. He watched these lights with much interest until in a few moments they had reached the spot where the fort is and there they disappeared.

The lane, which passes by this fort, is usually avoided especially after night-fall although it is a short-cut on several occasions.
People passing by often remark that even on a summer's day when everything is calm and still that a whirl-wind rises and blows papers, straws or any other things, which are scattered around, up into the air where they remain tossing about for some time. When this occurs, if old people witness it, they make the sign of the cross or throw something in the direction the dust is moving.

When a death is about to occur in the neighbourhood it is remarkable that on many occasions a cry and a little light is to be seen moving around this fort.

The fort is never interfered with when the owner of the field is ploughing or doing any other form of cultivation as it is supposed that it is unlucky to interfere with such places.
Rhiannon Posted by Rhiannon
3rd April 2016ce
Edited 3rd April 2016ce

Miscellaneous

Add miscellaneous Add miscellaneous
1930s schoolgirl Maura Cryan wrote so nicely and enthusiastically about this edifice for the National Folklore Collection's Schools project, I think it would be nice to reproduce her words here.
Situated on an eminence in the MacDermott's demesne, Clogher, is an old Fort or Fortification. From its location, the plan by which it is laid out, and the thickness of its surrounding walls, one comes to the conclusion that it must have at some time in early history being used for defence purposes. This fort is perfectly circular in shape having a very fine entrance about six feet wide. Enclosed by those walls which are about nine feet wide is a plot of ground about twenty perches in extent, which is uniformly raised to the centre; thereby having what might be termed a nice foot path all around by the inner base of its boundary walls.

There are three underground tunnels in this enclosed area. One, which is by far the longest, has both an entrance and an exit, with a distance of at least twenty yards between. To explore this tunnel a light is required as it leads for most of the way under the main wall. The other two tunnels have only one opening and might be best compared to fairly large sized rooms. One of the latter tunnels is in the enclosed area itself. The other has an entrance under the wall very convenient to the main entrance.

The walls which are about ten feet high have on the inside platform (part of the wall itself) about six feet from the ground which evidently goes to show it was used for defence although local history does not give us much information on the matter. Although another feature which creates the curiosity of the many sight-seers who annually visit it are the huge rocks perfectly placed in position some of them set as high as five or six feet from the ground.

To prove its antiquity, this relic of earlier days, was handed over years ago by its owner to the Royal Antiquarian Society for preservation. This body spent a large amount of money in putting the entire place in order: great care being taken to make no change in its original plan. To further protect from trespass or damage a substantial wire fence was placed around it leaving between the fence and its outer wall a four-foot wall for sight-seers to use. I understand during the time the Society was engaged in its reconstruction among things found were bones and some gold ornaments which were sent to Dublin for expert examination.

This fort is beautifully situated on the top of a hill whose sides being nicely wooded add greatly to its appearance.
Rhiannon Posted by Rhiannon
3rd April 2016ce

Links

Add a link Add a link

Youtube - Charles Coughlan


Clip of the fort from inside.
bogman Posted by bogman
11th June 2013ce
Edited 11th June 2013ce