stands as a testament to Ireland’s ancient coastal defences. This type of fortification, built on naturally defensible headlands jutting into the sea, was a common sight along Ireland’s Atlantic shores during the Iron Age and early medieval periods. The strategic positioning allowed inhabitants to monitor sea traffic whilst the natural cliff faces provided protection on multiple sides, requiring defensive earthworks only across the narrow neck connecting the promontory to the mainland.

Promontory forts like the one at Saltpans served multiple purposes beyond defence; they were likely centres of trade, fishing operations, and perhaps even ceremonial gatherings. The isolation provided by their cliff-bound locations made them ideal refuges during raids, whilst their commanding views of the surrounding seascape would have given early warning of approaching vessels, whether friend or foe. Today, these ancient fortifications offer visitors a glimpse into how Iron Age communities adapted to and thrived in Ireland’s dramatic coastal landscapes.