Hut site, Fál Chorb, Co. Donegal
Tucked away in County Donegal, the hut site at Fál Chorb offers a glimpse into Ireland's ancient past.
Hut site, Fál Chorb, Co. Donegal
This modest circular enclosure sits on rocky, poorly drained ground; a challenging location that speaks to the resourcefulness of its builders. The structure measures roughly 10.4 metres from north to south and 9.2 metres from east to west, creating an intimate living space that would have sheltered its inhabitants from the harsh Atlantic weather.
The site’s most striking feature is its construction method. A low bank made of earth and stone forms the enclosure’s walls, standing about 20 centimetres high on the inside and 30 centimetres on the outside. With a width of just over a metre, these walls show evidence of careful stonework, with facing stones still visible on both the interior and exterior surfaces. This attention to detail suggests the builders possessed considerable skill despite working with basic materials.
Surrounding the entire structure is a waterlogged fosse, essentially a shallow ditch about four metres wide and 20 centimetres deep. This external feature would have provided additional protection, though curiously, no entrance has been identified in the surviving remains. Whether this is due to deterioration over time or represents an unusual architectural choice remains a mystery. The site was documented by archaeologist Caimin O’Brien and added to official records in October 2015, ensuring this humble yet intriguing piece of Irish heritage is preserved for future study.





