Doon Fort

Doon Fort

Location: Drumboghil, Co. Donegal

Classification: Ringfort - Cashel

SMR Code: DG064-011----

Rating:

The spectacular Doon Fort (Irish - An Dún) sits on a small island on Doon Lough (Loch an Dúin) in the townland of Drumboghill, County Donegal. The fort is a unique intermediate form between a ringfort and a crannóg. The fort is also known locally as "the Bawan" or "O'Boyle's Fort". The oval wall is 36m in diameter and occupies almost the entire surface of the island. The well-preserved wall is about five meters high and at the base four meters wide. A short section of the northwest wall of the approximately 2000 years old fort has collapsed. An entrance to the southeast provides access to the interior.

Description

The spectacular Doon Fort (Irish - An Dún) sits on a small island on Doon Lough (Loch an Dúin) in the townland of Drumboghill, County Donegal. The fort is a unique intermediate form between a ringfort and a crannóg. The fort is also known locally as "the Bawan" or "O'Boyle's Fort". The oval wall is 36m in diameter and occupies almost the entire surface of the island. The well-preserved wall is about five meters high and at the base four meters wide. A short section of the northwest wall of the approximately 2000 years old fort has collapsed. An entrance to the southeast provides access to the interior.

History

The site is a large drystone fort, similar to the Grianan of Aileach, and is likely to date to the Late Iron Age period. It would have been a major stronghold in this part of Donegal. It was a homestead and a defensive structure. The fort has been linked first with the Breslin clan who were said to have occupied it from the 5th century onwards. It was later associated with the O'Boyle clan before it fell into disrepair. These forts were used as royal residences and as status symbols. The crescent-shaped Drumboghill Gold Lunula was found in 1909 in a nearby marsh.

Gallery

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Accessibility Rating: Difficult

Accessibility

Accessibility Class: Difficult

Facilities

There are no facilities at this monument

Map

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Sunrise/Sunset

Sunrise: 06:58

Sunset: 20:02

Directions

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Sunrise/Sunset

Sunrise: 06:58

Sunset: 20:02

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