Brusselstown Hillfort
Location: Brusselstown, Castlequarter, Co. Wicklow
Classification: Hillfort
SMR Code: WI027-018----
Rating:
The Brusselstown Hillfort, built during the Mid-Bronze Age c.1200BC, is a massive structure with vast earthwork and limestone embankments. The central stone rampart is made of limestone boulders enclosing an oval shaped area at the summit of the hill measuring 320 meters x 200 meters. The outer rampart encloses an area of 130 hectares (320acres), and is over 1.5 kilometers at its longest point, NW to SE. It is one of the most impressive and massive constructions of the period within Western Europe. It is thought that the adjoining Spinans Hill to the Northwest is also part of the overall monument. If so, it would make the Brusselstown/Spinans complex the largest known monument of its type. Both monuments are part of the ‘Baltinglass Group’ - a unique cluster of nine large Hillfort/Hilltop Enclosures that occur on the edge of the west-wicklow mountains.
Although a few examples date from the Early Neolithic (c. 3800-3500 BC), most Hillforts were constructed during the Middle to Late Bronze Age (c. 1400-500 BC) with examples of reoccupation in the later Iron Age (c. 100-400 AD). The imposing size of these great enclosures and their prominent settings, reflect the significance they held, from their military associations to their use as central places of assembly and elite residence with important economic, social and ceremonial functions
Description
The Brusselstown Hillfort, built during the Mid-Bronze Age c.1200BC, is a massive structure with vast earthwork and limestone embankments. The central stone rampart is made of limestone boulders enclosing an oval shaped area at the summit of the hill measuring 320 meters x 200 meters. The outer rampart encloses an area of 130 hectares (320acres), and is over 1.5 kilometers at its longest point, NW to SE. It is one of the most impressive and massive constructions of the period within Western Europe. It is thought that the adjoining Spinans Hill to the Northwest is also part of the overall monument. If so, it would make the Brusselstown/Spinans complex the largest known monument of its type. Both monuments are part of the ‘Baltinglass Group’ - a unique cluster of nine large Hillfort/Hilltop Enclosures that occur on the edge of the west-wicklow mountains.
History
Although a few examples date from the Early Neolithic (c. 3800-3500 BC), most Hillforts were constructed during the Middle to Late Bronze Age (c. 1400-500 BC) with examples of reoccupation in the later Iron Age (c. 100-400 AD). The imposing size of these great enclosures and their prominent settings, reflect the significance they held, from their military associations to their use as central places of assembly and elite residence with important economic, social and ceremonial functions
Accessibility Rating: Moderate - Difficult
There are a few ways up to this monument all of which are at least a 1km uphill walk.
None.
Accessibility
Accessibility Class: Moderate - Difficult
There are a few ways up to this monument all of which are at least a 1km uphill walk.
Facilities
None.
Map
Directions
Weather
Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise: 05:19
Sunset: 21:28
Directions
Weather
Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise: 05:19
Sunset: 21:28
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