21/10/2026
Donegal has the longest coastline in Ireland. Our maritime archaeology, history & traditions are of inestimable value to our Country. We ask you to do what you can to protect & preserve this
that all shipwrecks over 100 years old are protected by law - you require a license to dive on them.
Onshore - help us protect any new archaeological sites appearing due to coastal erosion by reporting them via this form https://www.archaeology.ie/collections-and-publications/publications/asi-monument-report-form/
If you have any questions or queries on this, get in contact with us on 074 9124613 E [email protected]
Photo - Donegal County Museum Collection
Taken over 40 years ago as part of the Archaeological survey of County Donegal.
Promotory Fort
Cnoc Fola (Knockfola), Brinlack, Gweedore, Co Donegal
Many coastal sites in Ireland were defended by the building of earthen or stone ramparts across the necks of headlands, forming promontory forts. These forts were built primarily for defense or refuge purposes, rather than for habitation and they vary greatly in size. Though generally assigned to the Iron Age, they can vary widely in date from c.1000 BC to 1700 AD.
At this site, a massive fosse (ditch), c. 12m wide and 3m deep divides a promontory fort from the mainland. To the E and land side of this is a ruined wall of large boulders. On the inner side of the promontory, the tops of stones seem to have formed part of a defensive wall which is joined to ruined traces of a wall along the long sides of the promontory and another at its W side, forming a rectangular enclosure 15m E-W and 10m N-S (this is possibly the 'Old castle' marked on the 1st edition of the OS 6-inch map).
There are number of other archaeological features at this site but it is not possible to say how they are related.
Heritage Week The Heritage Council Donegal County Council National Museum of Ireland National Monuments Service - Archaeology Killybegs Online Inishowen Maritime Museum Marine Times Newspaper Killybegs Information Centre Arranmore Ferry Arranmore Blueway - Bealach Gorm Árainn Mhór
