Leacanabuaile Stone Fort, Kerry

  • Author: ActiveME
  • Created: April 30, 2013 7:04 pm
  • Updated: December 12, 2017 10:59 am
Location: Kerry
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Leacanabuaile Stone Fort located within walking distance (3km) of Cahersiveen town in Co. Kerry is said to have been built around 900 AD. It is considered one of the best examples of this fort type and translates to ‘Hillside of the Summer Pastorage’.  The archaelogical excavation uncovered iron knives and mill stones suggesting the existence of an early Christian farming community here.  Standing atop the outer walls which are up to 3 metres thick, its great to imagine how the fort looked and how people lived in the past.

The fort is free and well worth a visit if you are in the area and only short distance from equally and somewhat more awe inspiring Cahergall Stone Fort with its high stone walls. A question commonly raised is why were these two massive forts built only 400m apart? Maybe Cahergal was an amphitheatre with tiered seating and a central stage while Leacanabuaile was a place where people lived. Simple answer is that we will never know for sure. In comparison to Loher Fort and Staigue Forts near Waterville, both on the Ring of Kerry, these forts are relatively unknown but equally as impressive.

  • Use our Map of Ireland and Sat Nav tool to get directions here and our detailed maps and GPS on our ActiveME iPhone and Android App. Feel free to send us your photos and add you own star rating, comments or suggestions below.

1. Leacanabuaile Stone Fort

Altitude: 24 m

Leacanabuaile Stone Fort located within walking distance (3km) of Cahersiveen town in Co. Kerry is said to have been built around 900 AD. It is considered one of the best examples of this fort type and translates to ‘Hillside of the Summer Pastorage’.  The archaelogical excavation uncovered iron knives and mill stones suggesting the existence of an early Christian farming community here.  Standing atop the outer walls which are up to 3 metres thick, its great to imagine how the fort looked and how people lived in the past.

The fort is free and well worth a visit if you are in the area and only short distance from equally and somewhat more awe inspiring Cahergall Stone Fort with its high stone walls. A question commonly raised is why were these two massive forts built only 400m apart? Maybe Cahergal was an amphitheatre with tiered seating and a central stage while Leacanabuaile was a place where people lived. Simple answer is that we will never know for sure. In comparison to Loher Fort and Staigue Forts near Waterville, both on the Ring of Kerry, these forts are relatively unknown but equally as impressive.

  • Use our Map of Ireland and Sat Nav tool to get directions here and our detailed maps and GPS on our ActiveME iPhone and Android App. Feel free to send us your photos and add you own star rating, comments or suggestions below.