Bronze Age Fort Identified Off Ireland’s West Coast

COUNTY MAYO, IRELAND—The Irish Independent reports that an island in Clew Bay may actually be the remains of a large Bronze Age fort. Archaeologist Michael Gibbons said that several large ramparts faced with limestone blocks are visible on the tidal isthmus linking the island of Collanmore to Ireland’s west coast during very low tides, when the island is accessible by foot. But, he added, the structures are covered with seaweed, and are hidden from site during high tides. The structures were known to locals, he noted, who were not aware of their age or significance. “We were lucky on the day as there were men cutting seaweed in the same area,” he said. Gibbons explained that the fort was probably strategically important between 1100 and 900 B.C. “Similar ramparts are visible at a number of other coastal and lake promontory forts throughout the west of Ireland,” he said. “They were built by warlord dominated societies and we have very good evidence they were in active use during periods of warfare between various tribes.” To read about sites in western Ireland where people began to farm and raise animals some 3,500 years ago, go to “Off the Grid: Rathcroghan, Ireland.”