These coastal fortifications, typically dating from the Iron Age through to the early medieval period, were strategically positioned on headlands and cliff edges, using the natural defences of steep drops and crashing waves to protect their inhabitants. The fort at An Port follows this classic pattern, with earthen banks and ditches cutting across the neck of the promontory to create a secure enclosure.

Like many of Ireland’s coastal forts, the An Port promontory fort likely served multiple purposes; as a defended settlement, a place of refuge during raids, and possibly a centre for trade and craft production. These sites offer valuable insights into how ancient communities adapted to and thrived in Ireland’s challenging coastal environments, making use of the landscape itself as their first line of defence against both human threats and the wild Atlantic weather.