The Forts of Erin. 57 



and is the first cashel recorded as having been built in Erin 

 by the Danaans. It was in a very ruinous state until in 1873, 

 when Dr. Walter Bernard, of Londonderry, undertook the task of 

 restoring it in accordance with the original plan. The stones 

 used were those that had fallen from the building, and the 

 original design was carried out in every particular. It took Dr. 

 Bernard and those who assisted him all the spare time they 

 had for a period of five years to complete it. It is well worthy 

 of a visit, and a most magnificent view of Lough Swilly and also 

 of Lough Foyle may be had from its ramparts. Reference was 

 next made to another cashel which the lecturer visited in County 

 Sligo, called Cashel-ore, which he showed photos of and 

 described. This cashel is referred to in the " Annals of the 

 Four Masters " in the year 1389, when O'Rorke, of Breffny, 

 invaded that district, and overthrew the O'Helys, who were 

 the occupiers of the country. Reference was next made to 

 Magherow, in the barony of Carbury. It was the country 

 which divided the north and west. It was frequently invaded 

 by O'Neill and Tyrconnel from the north, and by the Mac- 

 donoughs and O'Connors from the west. Through this district 

 they passed when invading each other's territory. In a country 

 like this, so much exposed to invasion, there are a great many 

 forts ; and the lecturer proceeded to show the several types of 

 forts situated in this district, and the various stages of progress 

 in fort-building, or evolution as applied to fort construction. 

 Here we have an example of a simple ring fort, another of a rath 

 with central mound and encircling moat ; another of the same 

 kind, but with this addition, that within the mound was con- 

 structed a crypt or vaulted chamber, underneath the dun, to be 

 used as a place of concealment or storehouse, or for both. 



The next structure described was a dun, with the remains 

 of two concentric moats around, and intervening fosse, which 

 could be filled with water. It is called Dunfore. On the top 

 of this ancient earthern fort was erected, at a later period, a 

 bawn, built of stone and lime. It is square, with circular 

 flanking towers at the angles, and a fine circular Norman arch 

 or entrance gateway. In virtue of its dual character it has 



