View source for Caherconnell Stone Fort

{{short description|Medieval stone ringfort in County Clare, Ireland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Use Irish English|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox ancient site
  |name = Caherconnell Stone Fort
  |native_name = Cathair Chonaill
  |alternate_name = 
  |image = Caherconnell.jpg
  |alt = 
  |caption = Part of the wall of Caherconnell Stone Fort
  |map_type = Ireland
  |map_alt =
  |map_size =
  |location = Parish of [[Kilcorney]], [[the Burren]]
  |region = Ireland
  |coordinates = {{coord|53.04075|-9.139172|display=inline}}
  |type = [[Ringfort]]
  |part_of =
  |length =
  |width =
  |area =
  |height =
  |builder =
  |material = 
  |built = 
  |abandoned = 
  |epochs = [[Medieval]]
  |cultures = 
  |dependency_of =
  |occupants =
  |event =
  |excavations =
  |archaeologists = Graham Hull
  |condition = 
  |ownership = private
  |public_access = yes
  |website =
  |notes =
}}

'''Caherconnell''' ({{Irish place name|Cathair Chonaill|Conall's stone ringfort}})<ref>[http://www.logainm.ie/1410767.aspx Placenames Database of Ireland]</ref> is an exceptionally well-preserved medieval stone [[ringfort]] in region known as [[the Burren]], [[County Clare]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]. It lies about 1&nbsp;km south of the [[Poulnabrone dolmen]].

==Location==
Caherconnell lies west of the R480 road connecting [[Ballyvaughan]] and [[Leamaneh Castle]] in the townland of Caherconnell, parish of [[Kilcorney]], [[Barony of Burren]], County Clare. The local geology is [[karst]] limestone and the land is used for pasture.<ref name="Report">{{Citation | last =Hull | first = Graham | last2 = Comber | first2 = Michelle| title = Caherconnell Cashel, Caherconnell, Carron, Co. Clare,  Final Archaeological Excavation Report| date = 24 July 2008 | url =http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/archaeology/caherconnell_cashel_07_16final.pdf }}</ref>{{rp|1}}

==Description==
Caherconnell features a circular drystone enclosure wall with a diameter of 42 metres. Walls are up to 3 metres thick and up to 3 metres high. The amount of loose stones suggests an original height of around one extra metre. The wall is made of local limestone. The entrance gap is located to the east.<ref name="Report"/>{{rp|2}}

Inside the enclosure are the remains of a dividing [[drystone wall]], around a metre wide. There are also two visible structures. Structure A is located next to the north wall of the fort. It is rectangular with the long axis running east to west, measuring roughly 10m by 5m. Structure B is next to the west wall of the fort, measuring around 7.5m by 5m internally. Its north wall is part of the dividing wall.<ref name="Report"/>{{rp|2}}

Some additional structures surround the ringfort. The existence of a [[souterrain]] has been surmised but nothing definite has been found.<ref name="Report"/>{{rp|3–4}}

The fort shows numerous similarities with [[Cahermore ringfort]] and [[Cahermacnaghten]], two other {{lang|ga|cashels}} that remained in use until a relatively late date.<ref name="Arch"/>{{rp|135}}

==Excavations==
According to [[Radiocarbon dating]] conducted in connection with an archaeological excavation in the summer of 2007, the ringfort mostly dates from the early 10th to mid-12th century. Occupation deposits indicate the fort was used from around the early 10th century to the early 13th century. The later structure A with a rectangular outline was likely built between the early 15th and mid-17th century. It is not certain whether the cashel was continuously inhabited or temporarily abandoned in the 14th century.<ref name="Report"/>{{rp|28}}

Findings indicate that the inhabitants not only consumed relatively high-status items but were also manufacturing them at the site (pin-making mould). There seems to have been precious metal work going on and there are signs of ironworking (slag, possible anvil position). The archaeological report also notes that: "The imposing morphology of the site, its walls and diameter, sets it apart from the vast majority of {{lang|ga|cashels}} in the Burren".<ref name="Report"/>{{rp|29}} The relatively long use - well into modern times - is attributed to the fact that the area, controlled by the [[Uí Lochlainn|O'Loghlen]] family, was not directly affected by Anglo-Norman influences but remained culturally Gaelic for a long time.<ref name="Report"/>{{rp|29}}<ref name="Arch"/>{{rp|135}}

The inhabitants of the 15th/16th century were not from the main branch of the family, which had moved to Glensleade Castle, about 3&nbsp;km to the north.<ref name="Arch"/>{{rp|135}}

Postholes of an earlier – [[Neolithic]] or [[Bronze Age]] – rectangular timber structure have been found to the southwest. They were discovered during examination of an adjacent later stone building. This appears unique in Ireland and Britain and is still the subject of analysis. It may have served as a medieval corn-drying kiln, but the presence of the partial remains of three people, dumped at its entrance and dating to the 15th or 16th century, presents a mystery.<ref name="Arch"/>{{rp|134}}

==Today==
[[File:Caherconnell Fort.jpg|700px|thumb|center|Caherconnell Fort]]
The ringfort is open to the public. The owner runs a visitor centre with an audio visual presentation and café.<ref name="Arch">{{cite book|last=Carthy|first=Hugh|title=Burren Archaeology|publisher=The Collins Press|year=2011|isbn=9781848891050}}</ref>{{rp|134}}

From summer 2010, Caherconnell has been home to an archaeological field school where students can learn archaeological techniques from leading archaeologists.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}}

==References==
<references/>

==Further reading==
* Comber, M., ''Caherconnel, Co. Clare - A Cashel of Continuous Use?'', in: ''The Other Clare'', Vol. 35, p.&nbsp;20-25, August 2011, ISSN 0332-088X.

==External links==
* [http://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/archaeology/CL009-03010-.htm Caherconnell at the Clare County Library website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150712072310/http://www.heritagecouncil.ie/fileadmin/user_upload/INSTAR_Database/Burren_Landscape_and_Settlement_Final_Report_08.pdf ''Excavations in Caherconnell townland'' in: Burren Landscape and Settlement]
* [http://www.caherconnell.com Caherconnell Archaeological Field School and Visitor Centre]

{{commons category|Caherconnell}}
{{Tourism in County Clare}}
{{coord|53|2|26.7|N|9|8|21.02|W|display=title|type:landmark_region:IE}}

[[Category:Archaeological sites in County Clare]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in County Clare]]
[[Category:Forts in the Republic of Ireland]]