Restrictions
- Appropriate footwear
- Challenging Access
Cahercommaun is a state-owned National Monument in the care of the Office of Public Works
*Site is off beaten track and does require a hike*
WARNING: It should be noted that these sites are unguided and a level of care and caution should be maintained during all stages of your visit. The Office Of Public Works (OPW) will not be held responsible for any damages, injuries, or losses that occur
Situated within the beautifully rugged landscape of the Burren, Cahercommaun sits on the edge of a valley.
Cathair is the Irish for ‘stone fort’, and this fort contains 3 walls ranging in height from approximately 1.7 metres, to 4 metres.
It is not certain when Cahercommaun was built, but an excavation in 1934 led by Hugh O’Neill Hencken suggests that it dates back to the early 9th century. However, this date is highly contested, as a number of artefacts that were found within the site pre-date this.
During this excavation, two souterrains and a number of hut structures were found within and around the fort.
D. Blair Gibson suggests that it is possible Cahercommaun was the centre of an early medieval chiefdom – a tribal centre.
Protect our Past - Click here to read about the importance of protecting our country’s unique heritage sites
This national monument is protected in accordance with the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014
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Unlimited access to Ireland’s past
