Hut site, Glasbolie, Co. Donegal
Nestled on a limestone ridge in Glasbolie, County Donegal, this ancient hut site offers sweeping views across the surrounding hills from east to southwest.
Hut site, Glasbolie, Co. Donegal
The site sits in rough pasture dotted with rocky outcrops, though its peaceful setting is somewhat compromised by commercial quarry pits that border the field to the north and east. Despite these modern intrusions, the location retains a sense of its ancient past, with the elevated position suggesting it was deliberately chosen for its commanding views of the landscape.
The hut itself consists of an oval stone enclosure measuring roughly 4 metres from northwest to southeast and 3 metres from northeast to southwest. A low stone bank or wall, about a metre wide, defines the perimeter; standing just 30 centimetres high on the inside and 20 centimetres on the outside. The interior appears slightly sunken, and whilst the entire structure is now covered in sod and barely visible above ground, you can still make out a gap about a metre wide in the southeastern section of the wall, which likely served as the original entrance.
This dwelling wasn’t isolated in antiquity. Another possible hut site lies just 15 metres to the south, whilst an enclosure can be found approximately 40 metres to the north-northwest. Together, these features hint at a small settlement or farmstead that once occupied this ridge, taking advantage of the natural defensive position and panoramic views whilst remaining close enough to neighbouring dwellings for mutual support and community life.





