Caherconnell Stone Fort

Caherconnell is a drystone ringfort about forty-two metres across with walls up to three metres thick, built around the tenth century and occupied into the seventeenth - which is late, and means it was in use long after ringforts had gone out of fashion elsewhere, probably by a family of some local standing. It sits on Burren limestone a short distance from Poulnabrone. What distinguishes it from other forts is that it is an active excavation: an archaeological field school has run here since 2010, and in season visitors can watch students working in open trenches and see finds from the current season, which is rare. The site is privately owned and run by the farming family whose land it is on, and they also give sheepdog demonstrations - a working handler with Border collies and Burren sheep, in a field beside the fort. The two halves sit oddly together but both are genuine.

What you actually see

• The ringfort - forty-two metres across, walls up to three metres thick.
• The live excavation - a field school working open trenches in season.
• The sheepdog demonstration - working collies and Burren sheep.
• The finds - current-season material displayed in the visitor centre.

When to go

April to October. Excavation runs in summer only - outside that the trenches are closed and covered. Sheepdog demonstrations run several times daily in season and need checking for times.

Honest expectations

The excavation only runs in the summer months; outside it there is less to see. Ticketed, with the sheepdog show often a separate or combined charge. The fort itself is a stone enclosure - the interest is in the interpretation and the dig.

Nearby

Poulnabrone Dolmen is a short drive north; Kilfenora and the Burren Centre are south-west.