This single-ringed earthwork, marked on the 2nd edition Ordnance Survey 6-inch map, sits on what is now an abandoned farmstead on the northern side of a small valley near Roshin in the Gartan Electoral Division. The exact purpose and age of this ancient structure remain tantalisingly unclear, offering no obvious clues to archaeologists about its original function.

The enclosure represents one of many enigmatic archaeological features scattered across the Donegal countryside, documented as part of the comprehensive Archaeological Survey of County Donegal compiled by Brian Lacey and his team in 1983. This ambitious project catalogued field antiquities spanning from the Mesolithic period through to the 17th century, creating an invaluable record of the county’s rich archaeological heritage. The survey’s findings, including this particular site, have been periodically revised and updated since their initial publication to reflect new research and understanding.

Today, the site tells a story of continuity and change in the Irish landscape; an ancient enclosure that may have served prehistoric communities, later incorporated into a farm that has itself now been reclaimed by nature. The new forest growth surrounding the abandoned farmstead adds another layer to this palimpsest of human activity, demonstrating how the Irish countryside continues to evolve whilst preserving traces of its deep past. For those interested in exploring Ireland’s hidden archaeological treasures, this unassuming spot near Gartan offers a compelling glimpse into the mysteries that still lie waiting in the hills of Donegal.