We.stropp — Fortified Headlands and Castles in Western Co. Cork. 257 



the landward end is the great rugged mass of Mount Gabriel, 1 339 feet high, 

 so concealed by lower spurs and ridges as to be less impressive than when 

 seen across the hay, or from the hills behind Skibbereen. Beyond it, only 

 one mountain, Knockaunawaddery, or Knocknamaddree, exceeds 1000 feet 

 in height. The lesser hills, rising 500 feet to 700 feet above the sea, are, 

 however, sufficiently bold and striking. Schull, the terminus of the light 

 railway, on a sheltered harbour, at the south foot of Gabriel, is the best 

 centre for the exploration of the peninsula. Crookhaven, once a more 

 important station, is now greatly decayed. Goleen is the only other village 

 of any note. 



The four fortifications along Dunmanus Bay are typical of their class ; 

 three are of the first and simplest type ; the other has two lines of defence, 

 and is perhaps rather a crescent fort than a promontory one, though once of 

 the latter class. 1 Dunlough was a very unusual example owing to the com- 

 plexity of the natural defences of the site and the modifications introduced at 

 two later periods by the introduction of a mortar-built tower, and later of a 

 new line of rampart, with turrets. The three " Castles " give its present name 

 to Dunlough Head. Along the other faces of the peninsula we only find a 

 minute fort on a narrow headland ; two islets, possibly used for refuge ; a 

 low shore rock, with only the name Doonlea to mark it as a fort-site ; and, 

 lastly, the interesting fortified headland of Lemcon. 



History. 



According to my custom, I will give the general history of the promontory. 

 As we have noted, Ivagha, though not now in common use, is the definite 

 Elizabethan equivalent of the tribal name Ui Eacach (Ibh Eachach), and as 

 such exactly meets our needs in topography. Originally part of the territory 

 of the widespread Corca Laidhe, it was overrun by the Ui Eacach from 

 Kinelmeaky, who transferred their name to the place under its oblique 

 form, as Iveragh in Kerry ; in Co. Limerick, O'Ross also became Iveruss. 



In remote legendary descent the Ui Eacach, or Eathach, Mumhain 

 derived from Eoeho, or Eochaidh, son of Cass, son of Core mac Luighdech, King 

 of Munster, fifth in descent from Ailill Olom, the great mythical King, 

 ancestor (reputedly) of all the reigning houses of Munster. There can, how- 

 ever, be but little question that the Munster chief pedigree had, perhaps 

 till the eleventh century, the elasticity of the " Boll of Battle Abbey " for 



1 English antiquaries put both under the same class, but in Ireland the difference is 

 sufficiently marked to justify separate classification. 



R.I.A. PBOC, VOL. XXXII., SECT. C. [^1] 



