Though no trace of this fortification appears on the early Ordnance Survey maps from the 19th century, archaeological surveys have confirmed its existence in what was once an ideal defensive position, surrounded by pastures that ranged from rough grazing land to good quality fields.

Ringforts like this one were once the backbone of rural Irish settlement patterns, serving as fortified farmsteads for prosperous families between the early medieval period and the 17th century. The site at Carricknamanna would have consisted of a circular enclosed area, typically defended by an earthen bank and external ditch; a practical design that offered protection for both the inhabitants and their livestock. The strategic placement amongst varied pasture lands suggests this was carefully chosen, providing both defensive advantages and access to different types of grazing for animals throughout the seasons.

Today, visitors to the area might struggle to identify the fort’s exact boundaries without expert guidance, as centuries of farming and natural erosion have softened its once distinct features into the landscape. The site was documented as part of the comprehensive Archaeological Survey of County Donegal, compiled by Brian Lacey and his team in 1983, which catalogued field antiquities from the Mesolithic period through to the 17th century. This survey remains one of the most important records of Donegal’s archaeological heritage, preserving knowledge of sites that might otherwise fade from memory.