Cathair na gCath

As we continue along this road you will pass this wonderful old ring fort. It is on private property so please don’t trespass but you can enjoy a view of it from this video below.

Killimer is rich in antiquities. There are approximately 34 forts in our parish with ring forts being the most numerous. Cathair na gCath = City of the Battle. This very beautiful fort is in the townland of Ballymacrinan, on the farm of Eoin Cleary, Ennis. It covers about one third of an acre. It is a remnant of a stone fort about 10 ft high and it is difficult to climb the stone walls.

On the outer walls you can clearly see dry stone wall building. It would appear that some of the stones on the south, north and east sides were removed. The western wall is still intact. The elders of the area remembered hearing that some of the stones were transported by horse and dray, at the bequest of a local priest, to be used in the construction of the present church of St. Imy. They recalled the difficult pull up to Chapel Hill. This order was carried out much to the chagrin of the locals, who were loath to interfere with the forts for fear of misfortune and bad luck, but they dared not go against the orders of the priest.

The fort has at least three underground passageways, known as “souterrain” (right). One is said to lead to the coast and one to Donogrogue Castle and one to Scattery Island. However, it is more likely the tunnels were used as a means of escape or hiding places for women and children when the fort was attacked. In more peaceful times it is likely that food would have been stored there. They have been partially explored but due to their length and other difficulties this was not successfully completed. It would take very sophisticated equipment to complete the project.

A sentry standing on top of the fort could see the smallest boat once it entered the mouth of the Shannon Estuary many miles to the west, so it would be impossible for invaders to approach without being seen. About nine forts can be seen from this stone fort, on the south, north and east of it on higher ground. A short distance from the stone fort and in the same valley is an earthen ring fort. The fact that a stone fort and an earthen fort were placed in such close proximity to each other leads us to believe that Cathair na gCath was a very important stronghold in times past. Despite the damage to its original design it is an amazing structure still to the present day.