A Statistical Analysis of Ringfort Distribution and Morphology on the ...

Chapter 2: Sources <strong>of</strong> archaeological information
details given. 1 A number <strong>of</strong> plans <strong>and</strong> sections which had been published in the preceding articles are
also reproduced.
The second article in this series concerns itself for the most part with the architecture <strong>and</strong> history <strong>of</strong>
Carrigaholt castle, just giving the briefest description <strong>and</strong> measurements <strong>of</strong> the ringforts <strong>of</strong> Lissanuala
(118) <strong>and</strong> Rathmacderrig (137). 2 In a following article detailing the area from Kilcredaun to Ross,
Westropp deals chiefly with the ecclesiastical sites <strong>of</strong> Kilcredaun, Moyarta, Kilballyowen <strong>and</strong> Ross. 3
Indeed, when ringforts are mentioned in the article, they presence is merely noted. Westropp
explains this deficiency by the fact that ‘... the whole valley from Lissyhunna westward so abounds in
these remains <strong>and</strong> are all so much <strong>of</strong> one type <strong>and</strong> usually <strong>of</strong> even closely similar dimensions <strong>and</strong>
featureless that ... there is little to be gained in doing more than giving their number <strong>and</strong> position.’ 4
In a second part to the same article Westropp deals exclusively with the archaeological sites <strong>and</strong>
folklore <strong>of</strong> Loop Head. Once again he summarises <strong>and</strong> paraphrases earlier work on the destroyed
sites <strong>of</strong> Cahercrohaun (sic.) (167), Cahercoolia (183) <strong>and</strong> Cahersaul (166). 5
In the paper dealing with the route from Kilkee to Cross, Westropp concentrates mainly on the
promontory forts <strong>of</strong> Dunlecky, Cloughaunsavaun <strong>and</strong> Doondoillroe. 6 Although he gives a relatively
long account <strong>of</strong> the ringfort <strong>of</strong> Lisduff (76), it is mostly a reiteration <strong>of</strong> his previously published
accounts, as are other shorter site descriptions. Of interest, however, is the publication <strong>of</strong> a short
piece <strong>of</strong> folklore relating to the ringfort <strong>of</strong> Lissnafallainge (102) <strong>and</strong> the otherworldly folk who dwelt
there. 7
In his final paper on this area, Westropp notes the locations <strong>and</strong> basic measurements <strong>of</strong> a number <strong>of</strong>
ringforts in the parish <strong>of</strong> Moyarta. These include Lissagreenaun (87), Bellia (1), Lisnagreeve (58)
<strong>and</strong> Carrownaweelaun (10). 8
In general terms it mat be said that although the data that Westropp recorded on individual sites are
invaluable <strong>and</strong> highly accurate, especially in the areas <strong>of</strong> correlating <strong>and</strong> collecting manuscript <strong>and</strong>
folklore information, his general observations <strong>and</strong> theorising have been almost completely surpassed
by modern research.
Since Westropp’s time archaeological output on the study area has consisted mostly <strong>of</strong> small articles
in local newspapers <strong>and</strong> local history journals, <strong>and</strong> as a rule has been marked by a tendency to
paraphrase Westropp’s original published works. While these articles include pieces on the castles
<strong>and</strong> promontory forts <strong>of</strong> the study area, no work has been undertaken on the ringforts which account
for the largest portion <strong>of</strong> all antiquities on the Loop Head peninsula. 9
The present writer contributed a synthesis <strong>of</strong> the archaeological legacy <strong>of</strong> the area to the 1992 book
Cuchulain’s Leap. 10 The work contained the research results <strong>of</strong> a FÁS sponsored community response
heritage project run in conjunction with the Carrigaholt <strong>and</strong> Cross Heritage Group. The work
attempted to present many aspects <strong>of</strong> the past <strong>of</strong> the Loop Head area, including folklore,
1 Westropp 1911 b, 219-35.
2 Westropp 1911 c, 29-42.
3 Westropp 1912 a, 103-18.
4 Op. cit., 111.
5 Westropp 1912 b, 134-48.
6 Westropp 1913 b, 38-52. The SMR Nos. for the sites listed are CL065-00801, CL064-00501 <strong>and</strong> CL065-
027.
7 Westropp op. cit. 47-8.
8 Westropp 1914, 153-69.
9 cf Marrinan 1984, 40-4; O’Brien 1979, 7; O’Reilly 1979, 12-5; Gleeson 1991, 57-60.
10 Murphy 1992. Chapple 1992a, 13-26.
18