104 Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. 



am convinced that it originally existed. The similarity of the fort to 

 those in Arran is remarkable, with the exception that whereas the 

 great enclosure at Dun Engis, in Arran, is protected by a " Cheveux 

 de Frise" of upright stones, the fort at Dunbeg is protected by earth- 

 works. "Whether the fort described was for protection irom the sea, 

 or a retreat from the land, I leave it to the consideration of those inte- 

 rested in archaeology. 



Inland, in the direction of Dingle, is another structure, also of the 

 fort type, the entrance being marked with great stones, and part of 

 the surrounding wall is intact. 



I have not investigated this great structui'e, but there it exists, 

 and I trust next year, when funds are available, to make a more 

 exhaustive examination of it. 



High up to the right is the ancient Fahan-road, well marked, and 

 faced at intervals with upright stones. 



(Plate II., fig. 1.) 



Passing to the westward we next come to Glenfaun. Here it will 

 be observed that the cells indicated in the plan are surrounded by a 

 massive wall. 



The following is an extract from Mr. "William D'Arcy's report : — 

 As I reached Glenfaun this evening the men at work had just 

 removed the floor of one of the cells, which revealed a deep opening 

 into the floor. A candle was procured, and an exploring party entered 

 the opening. The entrance was at first very small ; the passage, how- 

 ever, widened and continued to enlarge in space for about 20 feet. At 

 the end of this passage a small opening way was met. Getting through 

 this there was a slope of 3 feet, leading to a chamber 5 feet wide, 5 feet 

 high, and 13 feet long, with two air passages, 9 inches square, 3 feet 

 from the floor. The length of these passages could not be calculated. 



(A) Shows passage and chamber. 



(B) Outline of cells communicating with boundaiy wall. 



(C) Stone uprights^ leaning south. 



(D) An arrangement of upright stones on cell floor. Dotted lines 



indicate a possible connexion between C and D. 



1 "Upright stones. "What these stones mean it is difficult to say; but their 

 presence in this collection of cells, as well as in others, tend to refer to some rite, 

 religious or otherwise, and the upright stone C, bearing north and south, is also a 

 curious featujre, found generally in the greater number of these circular structures." 



