Loher Cashel

Loher Cashel is a stone ringfort and National Monument located on the Iveragh Peninsula, Ireland.

Location

Loher Cashel is situated on the western edge of the Iveragh Peninsula overlooking Ballinskelligs Bay, northwest of Derrynane. This location may have been chosen for its view of Skellig Michael.

History

The cashel was built around the 9th century AD as a defended farmstead. It was recently reconstructed.

Description

This is a circular stone ringfort of internal diameter with outer walls over high and thick accessible by stairways. It is built of drystone with gaps filled in with rubble.
In the interior are a large round house and a smaller rectangular house; archaeology has shown that these were preceded by wooden buildings. A souterrain was located in the circular house.
The entrance has a stone-lined passage similar to that at Staigue stone fort.