Dún Fearbhaí () is a stone

ringfort Ringforts, ring forts or ring fortresses 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. There are also many in South Wales ...

(cashel) and

national monument A national monument is a monument constructed in order to commemorate something of importance to national heritage, such as a country's founding, independence, war, or the life and death of a historical figure. The term may also refer to a spec ...

located on Inishmaan, one of the Aran Islands, Ireland.

Location

Dún Fearbhaí is located on the eastern edge of Inishmaan, facing back toward Galway Bay.

History

The fort is believed to date from the 1st millennium AD, some placing it around the 9th century. Its rectilinear shape and unusual structure have led to the belief that it is later than the other Aran Islands forts like

Dún Conor Dún Conor is a stone ringfort (cashel) and national monument located on Inishmaan, Ireland. Location Dún Conor is located at the centre of Inishmaan, at the island's highest point. History The fort probably dates back to the first millenni ...

, and perhaps contemporary with Dún Formna on

Inisheer Inisheer ( ga, Inis Oírr , or ) is the smallest and most easterly of the three Aran Islands in Galway Bay, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. With 281 residents as of the 2016 census, it is second-most populous of the Arans. Caomhán of Inishe ...

. The name ''Dún Mur'' is believed to have the same derivation as the Cliffs of Moher, which are named after an old promontory fort called ''Moher'', which once stood on Hag's Head. The name Dún Fearbhaí takes its name from the surrounding area ''An Fhearbach'', "abounding in cattle."

Description

Dún Fearbhaí is a stone

(cashel) shaped like a square with rounded corners; it contains two walls and one terrace built on a steep incline, and also four sets of internal stairs. The walls are up to high and up to thick, and measure about by internally. There is a single entrance in the east, wide. O’Driscoll wrote, "A thick wall would have been necessary for larger, higher walls, resulting in excessive labour and resource costs. This was partly alleviated by terracing the walls, reducing the amount of material used. Terracing of the inner face and incorporation of steps allowed access to the top of the wall, permitting occupants expansive visibility of the immediate environs as well as a strategic advantage over approaching attackers. The vertical walls that met attackers or visitors would have been an impressive barrier that provided practical defence for the occupants, as well status."

Looped walk

The Lúb Dún Fearbhaí is a 13-kilometre looped walk across the island, named after the fort.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dun Fearbhai Aran Islands National monuments in County Galway Archaeological sites in County Galway