Structure, Brockagh, Co. Donegal
On a southeast-facing slope overlooking Lough Croangar, the ruins of a small rectangular structure sit amongst the rough mountainous terrain of Brockagh in County Donegal.
Structure, Brockagh, Co. Donegal
Measuring approximately 3.7 metres from northwest to southeast and 3 metres wide, this enigmatic site is defined by the remnants of what appears to be a poorly constructed drystone wall. The northwest side features four large boulders that have been deliberately set on edge, whilst the collapsed southeast wall consists of stones of various sizes scattered about. The remaining two sides show little evidence of any wall construction, save for a few loose stones, and the interior space contains additional scattered stonework with no clear indication of either an entrance or hearth.
The structure’s exposed position and rudimentary construction suggest it may have served as a temporary shelter, perhaps for shepherds or hunters making use of the mountainous landscape, though its exact purpose remains frustratingly unclear. The lack of domestic features such as a hearth, combined with the seemingly hasty construction method, could indicate it was built for short-term use; possibly as a windbreak, animal pen, or even a boundary marker rather than a dwelling.
Without excavation, the true nature and function of this feature cannot be determined with any certainty based solely on what remains visible above ground. The site stands as one of many mysterious structures dotting the Irish landscape, its stones holding secrets about how past inhabitants used these remote mountain slopes, whether for agriculture, hunting, or purposes now lost to time.