Hillfort, Pollnahallia, Co. Galway

Hillfort, Pollnahallia, Co. Galway

On a south-facing spur of a hill near Pollnahallia in County Galway sits a substantial oval hillfort, its ancient limestone walls now cloaked in moss and hidden amongst the trees. Measuring roughly 195 metres from north to south and 150 metres from east to west, this prehistoric enclosure offers a glimpse into Ireland's defensive past.

Hillfort, Pollnahallia, Co. Galway

The enclosing wall, built using a dump construction method with limestone boulders and stones, reaches about 11 metres in width and stands up to 1.5 metres high on both its interior and exterior faces, though centuries of weathering and vegetation have softened its once-imposing profile.

The hillfort’s original entrance remains a mystery, as two significant sections of the wall have been removed over time; one at the eastern side where a modern gateway now provides access, and another 30-metre gap on the south-southwest. Either of these breaches could mark the location of the ancient entrance, though the eastern gateway appears to be a more recent modification, evidenced by a subtle rise in the ground surface that suggests the wall once continued unbroken across this point. The modern boundary wall that runs nearby serves as a reminder of how these ancient monuments continue to shape the landscape even today.



Inside the enclosure, the terrain slopes gently from north to south, with most of the interior covered in grass that makes for pleasant exploration. The northwest sector tells a different story, however; here the ground becomes notably stonier and tree-covered, perhaps indicating different historical uses or simply the vagaries of time and nature. Despite its overgrown state, the site remains an evocative reminder of the communities who once sought safety within these walls, strategically positioning their settlement to take advantage of the hill’s natural defensive qualities whilst maintaining clear views across the surrounding landscape.

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Pollnahallia, Co. Galway
53.47644602, -8.99507546
53.47644602,-8.99507546
Pollnahallia 
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