Archaeological sites in Liscarroll, County Cork

(Scroll down for list of townlands in Liscarrol with Archaeological sites)

Ringforts

Ringforts or Raths are perhaps the most numerous archaeological monuments in Ireland. There are well over 30,000 shown on the ordnance survey maps. They consisted of a circular earthwork of vallum, sizes varied from c 65ft to c.200ft. (20m-63m) in diameter and occasionally there were two or even three concentric rings. From the few excavated sites (c150 sites in all), it can be established that most were the farmsteads of early Christian times, though some were earlier and some continued to be occupied as late the 17th century.

The smaller enclosures would have accomodated a single family with its farm animals and out buildings, and the earthworks would have given protection for the animals during the frequent inter-family cattle raids. The larger enclosures could well have accommodated family kindered groups (fine) which formed the basic unit of early Irish society. Only excavation of the site will give specific information on its use date.

Ringforts were built in the 7th and 8th centuries by the Danes with two or three circles of banks and ditches made of stone. Within these enclosures stood the ancient farmsteads of early Christian times.  Please seek the permission of the landowner before entering land.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES IN LISCARROLL AND THE SURROUNDING TOWNLANDS CAN BE VIEWED ON:NAtional Monument viewer

Simply click on County Cork and then townland (ie. key in C for Coolbane and scroll through)

Then click search (Ignore TOWN and CLASS option)

Townlands in Liscarrol with Archaelogical sites are as follows:

ALTAMIRA 

COOLBANE (ORRERY AND KILMORE)

KNOCKARDBANE(2)

KNOCKBARRY (ORRERY AND KILMORE),

LACKAROE(2)

LISCARROLL

MOYGUE,

ROCKSPRING,

SALLYPARK(2)

ROSSNANARNEY

GARRAGORT