Ringfort (Rath), Cashel, Gleneely, Co. Donegal
On the northern slope of Clockaughrim in County Donegal, a curious earthwork known locally as Fergal's Grave occupies a patch of level ground amidst the hillside.
Ringfort (Rath), Cashel, Gleneely, Co. Donegal
This D-shaped enclosure, measuring 18.5 metres across its interior, consists of a low earthen bank with some incorporated stone that partially defines its perimeter. The northern edge needs no such boundary; here the land drops away sharply, creating a natural defence that would have deterred any unwanted visitors. Time hasn’t been kind to the southern portion, where the bank has completely disappeared, whilst a clear gap in the eastern section, where it meets the northern edge, likely marks the original entrance.
The site takes its name from local folklore, though its actual origins probably date back to the early medieval period when such ringforts, or raths, dotted the Irish landscape. These enclosed farmsteads housed extended families and their livestock, serving as both home and fortress in an era when raids from neighbouring clans were a constant concern. Two depressions visible in the interior appear to be later disturbances rather than original features, possibly the result of stone robbing or amateur excavation over the centuries.
Archaeological surveys conducted in the early 1980s documented this and hundreds of similar sites across Donegal, revealing a landscape once densely populated with these defensive homesteads. The strategic positioning of Fergal’s Grave, utilising the natural topography for protection whilst maintaining views across the surrounding countryside, demonstrates the careful planning that went into selecting such locations. Whether Fergal was a real person or a figure from local legend, his name has ensured this ancient farmstead remains a recognised landmark in the Gleneely area.





