Caherdorgan North facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Caherdorgan North |
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| Native name Irish: Cathair Deargáin Thuaidh |
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View of the fort
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| Type | stone ringfort and medieval house |
| Etymology | Doregan's stone fort |
| Location | Dingle Peninsula County Kerry |
| Elevation | 66 m (217 ft) |
| Built | 8th or 9th century AD |
| Owner | state |
| Official name: Caherdorgan North Cashel / The Chancellor's House | |
| Reference no. | 221.4748 |
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Caherdorgan North is an amazing ancient site in County Kerry, Ireland. It is known as a National Monument, which means it's a very important historical place protected by the country.
Contents
Discover Caherdorgan North's Location
Caherdorgan North is found on the beautiful Dingle Peninsula. Its main stone fort, called a cashel, sits on a hill. From here, you can look out over Smerwick Harbour. This spot is about 6.6 kilometers (4.1 miles) northwest of Dingle.
The Chancellor's House: A Nearby Ruin
Just 300 meters (328 yards) north of the cashel, you'll find another old building. This is known as The Chancellor's House. It's part of the same historical area.
Explore the Caherdorgan Cashel
The Caherdorgan Cashel is a very old stone fort. It was built around the 8th or 9th century AD. Imagine living here over a thousand years ago!
What is a Cashel?
A cashel is a type of stone fort. It has a strong, circular wall made of dry stone. This means the stones were carefully placed without any mortar or cement. These walls helped protect the people and animals inside.
Inside the Cashel Walls
Within the cashel's circular wall, you can see five special buildings. These are called clocháns. They are also made of dry stone. Their roofs are built using a method called corbelling. This is where stones are laid in circles, getting smaller as they go up, until the roof closes. It's like a beehive shape!
Hidden Passageways: The Souterrain
Long ago, there was also a souterrain here. A souterrain is an underground passage or chamber. People used them for storage, shelter, or even as escape routes. It's a fascinating part of ancient Irish life.
The Chancellor's House: A Medieval Home
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The Chancellor's House, or Fothrach an tSainsiléara in Irish, is a ruined medieval building. It's made of stone and has a rectangular shape. This house was likely the home of an important person.
Who was the Chancellor?
This house was probably where the chancellor lived. In medieval times, a chancellor was a high-ranking church official. This particular chancellor worked for the Diocese of Ardfert and Aghadoe. They would have helped manage church affairs in the area.
Inside the House
The Chancellor's House is quite large, measuring about 17.6 meters (57.7 feet) long. Even though it's a ruin now, you can still see parts of it. It had a bread oven and a fireplace. This shows us how people lived and cooked in medieval Ireland.
