Staigue

Ringfort - Co. Kerry

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Staigue ringfort stands at the head of the Staigue river valley on a rise with a marvelous view over to Kenmare Bay. The fort is of stone construction and is therefore classified as a "Caher" as opposed to a "Rath". The site had an external bank and fosse enclosing the stone rampart which is about 4m thick at the base and rises to a maximum 5.7m at the north, it consists of two drystone masonry faces filled with a rubble core. An internal terrace runs around the interior face, this is accessed by integral interconnecting, ramplike steps, these also extend up to the top of the wall, and resemble huge "X's". There are two small chambers in the thickness of the wall at  the SSW and NW accessed through small lintelled openings. The entrance passage is at the south, this about 1.8m high and is roofed with three lintel stones. About 1.5m apart at the base, the passage walls taper in towards the roof. 
The fort was restored during the 19th century and the extent of this work is unknown, so it is difficult to tell how much of the stonework we see today is reconstructed.
The "fort" was probably used more as a homestead for an extended family, and would have contained domestic and farm buildings. The date of construction for Staigue is unknown, but excavations at other ringforts suggest the majority are of Early Medieval date.