This stone fort was probably the property of a local chieftain in the early Christian period around the 9th century AD.
Although called a fort, this monument was really a defended farmstead which would originally have contained houses and farm buildings. It has a circular drystone enclosing wall, the inner face of which has steps which criss-cross leading up to the top level of the wall. Much of the interior of the fort is taken up with two houses; excavations revealed that these were preceded by other buildings made of stone and wood.
The circular house is the earlier of the two. Beneath its floor is a souterrain – an underground passage which is now closed – entered from inside the house. It was built later than the house and may have been intended as a place to hide in the event of an attack; but it was also used as a cool storage space for food.
