Promontory fort

Promontory forts are defensive structures located above a steep cliff, often only connected to the mainland by a small neck of land, thus utilizing the topography to reduce the ramparts needed. They are mainly found in Ireland.

Only a few promontory forts have been excavated, therefore their dating is problematic. Most seem to date to the Iron Age, though some, like Dunbeg (Co. Kerry) might have originated in the Bronze Age. Others, like Dalkey Island (Co. Dublin) contain imported Eastern Mediterranean pottery and have been reoccupied and changed in the early medieval period. Dunbeg contains an early medieval corbelled stone hut (clochan).

further reading

• Nancy Edwards, The Archaeology of Early Medieval Ireland (London, Batsford 1990).