Westropp — Earthworks and Ring- Walls in Co. Limerick. 29 



summit, which prove to be a remarkable fort,' probably the Lisbane of the 

 townland name, and most, inadequately marked on the maps. Kilbradran 

 was granted in 1253 to Athassell Abbey, and is named as Kylbraderan in 

 1291. As the fort was faced with shining grey limestone, the name Lisbane, 

 " white fort," was very descriptive. From its dominant position in the plain 

 from Ardagh to the Shannon, and from the hills of Luachair to the Deel, it 

 was probably one of the chief forts of the Ui Chonaill ; it gives interesting 

 evidence of extensive modifications, even in early times. The original work 





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ia»s»9 



The fort of Kilbradran, County Limerick. 



was a strong cathair on the summit ; its rampart was of earth 1 5 feet to 

 12 feet thick, stone-faced inside and out ; it is still 5 feet high, with a slight 

 fosse, 7 feet to 9 feet wide, outside it, probably rather used to supply filling 

 for the wall than to add to its defence. The garth is slightly oval, from 

 91 feet to 94 feet across. At a lower level, from about 48 feet to 70 feet outside 

 the central fort, was a second stone-faced mound 19 feet to 21 feet thick and 

 9 feet to 11 feet high, also with a fosse, only 6 feet to 8 feet wide and a few 



' First noted by J. Windele. 



