Fairy Fort
Fairy Fort Dingle is located on the scenic and world famous Slea Head Drive on the Dingle Peninsula, Co. Kerry. We can be found approximately 10km West of Dingle town in the beautiful parish of Kilvickadownig.
On this site you will find an impressive and fairly well preserved univallate RATH also known as a RINGFORT or a LIOS, which is located on a very slight East facing slope and commands excellent views in all directions. The circular interior is enclosed by an earthen bank and fosse and contains traces of 3 or 4 huts and a souterrain. The bank rises at least 4.2 meters above the base of the fosse and up to 2.5 meters above the interior. The causewayed entrance faces due East and is 3 meters in width.
On this site you will find an impressive and fairly well preserved univallate RATH also known as a RINGFORT or a LIOS, which is located on a very slight East facing slope and commands excellent views in all directions. The circular interior is enclosed by an earthen bank and fosse and contains traces of 3 or 4 huts and a souterrain. The bank rises at least 4.2 meters above the base of the fosse and up to 2.5 meters above the interior. The causewayed entrance faces due East and is 3 meters in width.
History of Fairy Forts
Fairy Forts were also known as Rath or Lios which are circular fortified settlements that were mostly built during the Bronze age up to about the year 1000. They are found in Northern Europe, especially in Ireland.
The early pre Celtic inhabitants of Ireland known as Tuatha Dé Danann and Fír Bolg were associated with stories of fairies, fairy forts. Folklore asserts that Ringforts like this one were "fairy forts" imbued with "Druids magic" and believers in fairies did not alter them. Cutting brush especially the whitethorn (also known as a fairy tree) on the forts was reputed to the death of this person who performed the act. Legend also has it that anyone who enters a Lios like this one between the hours of 1:00am - 5:00am would not leave the Lios alive.
Pet Farm
Another wonderful feature we have on site is an animal pet farm. We have animals such as sheep, lambs, goats, kids, horses and donkeys. We offer a service where you can feed the animals with rations provided by ourselves.
These animals are very friendly and are well accustomed to people walking around. They are also prone to posing for a picture too on a good day.
So come join us and enjoy the wonderful history of the area and take the opportunity to take a selfie with an animal of your choice.
