Dunbeg Fort , Dun Dun Beag – Dunbeg Castle, Dun Beg, Escape Fortress – an ancient fortress built during the Iron Age, located near the village of Ventry, County Kerry, Ireland.
The Dunbeg Fort is located on a rocky promontory south of Slea Head on Dingle Peninsula, near Dingle Bay, on the Atlantic Ocean. The rocks that stood here during the construction of the fortress collapsed, and much of the fortress collapsed into the sea. The wall of the fortress cut off access to a triangular cape, which was later occupied by one large building, possibly inhabited. Near the fort is a group of ruins, small stone structures, apparently around the remains of living quarters, which may have been built about 1000 BC, that is, over 3000 years.
Dunbeg Fort is considered part of the group of beehive huts in nearby Fahan. The once round dun, built from dry masonry, has partially fallen victim to erosion. The interior step-shaped wall is still six meters thick and about three meters high. There are small spaces on either side of the entrance within the wall and the access has side holes into which a wooden beam could be inserted to support a door. In the passage there is a so-called “doghole” close to the floor. The entrance has a lintel that Macalister thought was the most remarkable in Ireland in 1898.Today it is a monument of Irish history and architecture of national importance.
Access : Coordinates: 52.103415, -10.408551 / Address :
Slea Head Drive, Fahan, Ventry, Ireland / The steep coast at the village of Fahan has a rocky ledge here, which is located directly on the R 559, the “Slea Head Road”
/ Dunbeg Fort is located 5,5 kilometres west of Ventry on the Wild Atlantic Way.
Highlights :
- A center for visiting this monument of history and archeology was created, where there are rooms of information, handicrafts, restaurant.
- Inside the Dunbeg Fort, found traces of several dry stone masonry. Along the cliff were walls that were about 90 feet (27 m) long above sea level. Two parallel walls stretched from the fort to the slopes of Eagle Mountain, dividing the land around the Fahan settlement from land to east.
Entrance fees: €3 adults €2 children / Opening hours:Daily 9:30am–6pm / Facilities : Audiovisual Centre Information & Craft Room. Stonehouse Restaurant & Cafe. Car Parking & Restroom Facilities
Activities : discover 500BC Dun Beag Fort and savour the spectacular sea views. / Scenic Driving- Auto Touring, on the Wild Atlantic Way.- Slea Head Drive / sightseeing / photo opportunities / trekking
Go next : Slea Head , a cape in South Kerry County / Beehive Huts , family dwellings and small community of huts dating back to the Bronze Age / Blasket Islands / Gallarus Oratory / village of Ballyferriter / Dingle Town
