Wkstropp — Fortified Headlands and Castles, S. Coast Munster. 201 



(d) promontory fort with a subsidiary fenced headland, like Dunabrattin 1 ; 

 («) and the platform with natural, or artificial, gangway ; (/ and g) are the 

 simple rock platform and the shore rock, which do not occur. 2 



Type (a). 



Ballynaharda, Binanillaun (Ordnance Survey of 6 inches to the mile, 

 ~No. 39). We pass through the long upland behind Helvick, with little of 

 scenery or of interest, save a few ring-forts of the ordinary type, with fosses 

 and furzed banks. Getting into lower ground near the village and grave- 

 yard of Ballymacart, 3 we pass down a stream-glen, and over a ridge sheeted 

 with low furze and heather, and see before us a picturesque reach of cliffs and 

 the Mine Head Lighthouse ; most conspicuous and nearest to us is a long, 

 dark headland, pierced by a square-headed natural arch, and known as 

 Bingalaun, Binganlaun, Binanillaun, or Einn an oiledn, the point of the 

 " Island." Though little suitable for habitation, it has been defended by a 

 rock-cut fosse and strong rampart for, as we shall notice later on, every foot- 

 hold on the cliffs (narrow shelves even have little clearings and fences) has 

 been prepared for refuge in the two townlands next Cooshaneimma Cove. 

 Mr. Bichard Ussher, late of Cappagh (who was not only a leading authority 

 on the birds of Ireland, but an antiquary), first noted this fort. Unlike many 

 who only pursue their own special interest, his observant mind and clear 

 memory made him an invaluable informant on geology and archaeology. I had 

 the privilege of his guidance all along the Waterf orcl coast, save for the reach 

 at Ardmore, though we visited its ecclesiastical remains, and to him I was 

 indebted for much information and many notes, his knowledge of the places 

 going back over sixty years. He first noted this fort, the little site in 

 Ballykilmurry, the larger forts of Ballinamona, Kilfarrasy, and, at my sugges- 

 tion, he found the large entrenchment at Dunabrattin. I believe I can 

 claim to have found the Annestown fort and the trace at Dunhill. Those at 

 Island Hubbock, Bally voony, Dane's Island, Island Ikane, Woodtown, 

 Gai-rarus, Westown, Goolum, Bathmoylan, and Dunmore were marked on the 

 Ordnance Survey maps from 1841. 



Binanillaun fort is unmarked ; its site can be identified on the new maps 



1 Compare with Kilmore and Gubadoon in the Achills, Doon near Ballybunnian, 

 Dunsheane near Dingle, Baginbun, and Howth. 



2 Unless the Foillanean "Cashel" at Tankardstown, a detached shore-rock, was 

 formerly fortified. 



3 Only a few feet of the church wall remain ; an old man told Mr. Ussher : " Ah ! 

 there were some old arches standing, but we took them down to build the graveyard 

 wall." 



