The Fortress

The long history of fortification in Ireland

the pictures are excerpts from the contemparory drawings of the Eliabethan mapmaker Richard Bartlett

The Rath 

There are tens of thousands, scattered across the country, now overgrown or stripped of their forest defences.

Rath is a word that means security and is also a legal term.

The Faithche 

Around each was a green that was grazed extended the length of a javelin from the rampart

The Lios

The central court was called a lios which is common in place nameson which were placed the buildings

 Dun or Royal Fortress

Extended defense

 Forest

The Souterrain The underground secret escape tunnel or refuge

the Cashel

the Souterrain

The Hidden Fortress

Fastness

  Crannogs

A crannog under attack by English forces during the Fifteen Years War 1590's