Celtic fort destruction in County Kerry

Heritage experts today condemned the destruction of part of a 3,000-year-old Celtic fort in Co Kerry.

The 700 metres of earthen works that surrounded the ancient Dun Mor Fort on the Dingle Peninsula were levelled at the weekend by an excavating machine. An entrance and a standing stone with an ogham (Celtic writing) inscription were also removed. . .

The 80 acre Dun More fort overlooks the Blasket Islands and the Skelligs. The Ogham stone which was removed contained an inscription to Dhuibne, a deity of the Corca Dhuibne tribe which lived in the area from around 1,000 BC to 600 AD. . .

According to a Heritage Council survey, around 10% of all national monuments have been lost in the last 10 years. The vast majority of this destruction is carried out by farmers who are reclaiming land.

The Dún Mór coastal promontory fort is "hugely important and, so far as is known, the biggest coastal promontory fort in the country", according to an archaeologist, Mr Michael Gibbons. It overlooks the Blasket Islands and the Skelligs. . .

Gardaí who visited the site yesterday said the land had recently changed hands and the new owner may not have been aware of the significance of the site or if there were any restrictions on work on the land.

The owner was away until today, and could not be contacted for comment.

Posted by David on June 21, 2004 1:49 PM