The Breaney Ringfort

Photograph of a typical ringfort

Photograph of a typical ringfort taken by Jimmy Lennon

Photograph of a typical ringfort

Photograph of a typical ringfort

Photograph of a typical ringfort taken by Jimmy Lennon

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Ringforts or fairyforts were used as dwelling places by our ancestors until the middle ages. They are roughly circular in shape and surrounded by earthen banks or stone walls. The one-rampart ringfort is the most common type found in Ireland.
 

There is a fine example of a triple rampart ringfort at Breaney  near Ardagh in Co. Longford. Excavations did not, however, yield any finds that would help towards assigning a definite age to the structure.


A large quantity of iron slag was discovered along with some fragments of small iron objects such as knives, a fragmented quernstone, a piece of loy and a small amount of animal bones.