Three separate investigations between 1999 and 2002 examined different sites across the settlement, which sits overlooking the Leanann River. The first excavation, conducted under licence 99E0343, involved test trenches on a steeply sloping site. Despite the promising location above the river, archaeologists found only topsoil directly covering compacted sandy clay;...
Historic town, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal
The town's name comes from the Irish "Beal Atha Seanaidh", meaning "the mouth of the ford of the hill-slope", and this ford has long been the key to controlling movement between Connacht and Tirconnell. The strategic importance of this spot is underlined by a remarkable discovery from 1916, when a...
Building, Rann Na Cille, Co. Donegal
This stone monument measures 7.1 metres by 6.2 metres and features an unusual architectural detail; a central altar that visitors would have accessed through a passage entering from the south side. What makes this cairn particularly intriguing is the primitive stone cross that crowns its summit, suggesting the site may...
Structure, Glentidaly, Co. Donegal
This ancient fortification sits at the southern end of a north-south ridge, taking advantage of the natural defensive position provided by steep drops to the north and west. The main structure consists of a circular area surrounded by a partially ruined stone wall, originally measuring up to 2.45 metres wide....
Building, Málainn Bhig, Co. Donegal
The structure consists of a collapsed stone wall measuring up to 2.45 metres wide and reaching heights of 0.57 metres, forming a defensive ring that would have protected its inhabitants. Along the northern half of the perimeter runs a fosse, essentially a defensive ditch, measuring 2.1 metres wide and now...