This earthwork monument, measuring approximately 30 metres in internal diameter, consists of a subcircular enclosure defined by an earthen bank that still rises to about a metre in height despite centuries of deterioration. The southern side shows faint traces of what may have been a fosse, or defensive ditch, though extensive ploughing over the years has obscured many of the site’s original features.

The ringfort has suffered considerable damage through both agricultural activity and natural encroachment. Trees now grow both along the bank and within the interior, their roots likely disturbing the archaeological deposits beneath. The earthen bank itself shows signs of significant interference, though a gap on the southwest side may mark the location of the original entrance; a common feature in Irish ringforts where entrances typically faced away from prevailing winds.

These ringforts, which number in the tens of thousands across Ireland, were primarily built between the early medieval period and the 12th century. They served as protected farmsteads for prosperous families, with the circular bank and ditch providing security for the dwelling house, outbuildings, and livestock within. The Gortnaskea example, whilst partially destroyed, remains an important piece of Donegal’s archaeological landscape, offering tangible evidence of how people lived and farmed in this region over a thousand years ago.