Promontory Forts

Promontory Forts

George’s Head, Kilkee

Many coastal sites in Ireland were defended by the erection of earthen or stone ramparts across the necks of headlands, forming promontory forts. These forts were built primarily for defence or refuge purposes, rather that for habitation and vary greatly in size. Though generally assigned to the Iron Age, they can vary widely in date from c.1000 BC to 1700 AD and usually have the element dún in their names. There are 34 surviving recorded promontory forts in County Clare. Other defensive forts are hillforts and cliff-edge forts.

On the Loop Head Military Trail there are 16 Promontory Forts on the Atlantic coast from Doonbeg to Loop Head and only 4 on the Shannon Estuary side from Loop Head back to Kilkeerin Battery of which 3 are in the townland of Kilbaha South and 1 in the townland of Kilcloher.

The 16 Promontory Forts in the townlands  on the Atlantic Coast :

1. Doonmore Promontory fort in the townland of Doonmore close to Doonmore Castle.

2. Killard Promontory fort in the townland of Killard between Doonmore Castle and Killard Point.

3. Killard Point Promontory fort in the townland of Killard.

4. Leamcangher Point Promontory fort in the townland of Ballard.

5. Donegal Point Promontory fort in the townland of Ballard.

6. Farrihy Promontory fort in the townland of Farrihy at Farrihy Bay north.

7. Illaunabaha Point Promontory fort in the townland of Corbally.

8. George’s Head Promontory fort in the townland of Corbally.

George’s Head, Corbally townland.

9. Foohagh Point Promontory fort in the townland of Foohagh.

Foohagh Point , Foohagh townland

10. Illaunadoon Point Promontory fort in the townland of Moveen East.

Illaunadoon Point, Moveen East townland.

11.Castle Point Promontory fort in the townland of Moveen West.

Castle Point , Moveen West townland.

12. Illaundglass Promontory fort in the townland of Trusklieve.

13.Doondoillroe Point Promontory fort in the townland of Tullig.

14. Cloghaunsavaun Castle Promonitory fort in the townland of Cloghaunsavaun.

15.Cloghaunsavaun Promontory fort in the townland of Cloghaunsavaun on the next headland west of Cloghaunsavaun Castle.

16. Bullaunnaleama Promontory fort in the townland of Kilbaha North.

The 4 Promontory Forts in the townlands on the Shannon Estuary :

1. Kilbaha South Promontory fort in the townland of Kilbaha South halfway between Loop Head and Horse Island.

3. Kilbaha South Promontory Fort in the townland of Kilbaha South on the next headland east of last one.

3. Dunmore Head Promontory fort in the townland of Kilbaha South.

4. Kilcloher Promontory fort in the townland of Kilcloher near the Grave of the Yellow Men.