Cashelore facts for kids

Cashelore, also known as Cashel Bir or Bawnboy, is an ancient stone fort located in County Sligo, Ireland. It's a special place called a National Monument, which means it's protected because of its historical importance. This type of fort is known as a ringfort or cashel.

Where is Cashelore?

Cashelore is found on the southern side of Benbo Mountain. It's about 1.3 kilometers (less than a mile) northwest of a village called Ballintogher.

History of the Stone Fort

Cashelore was built a very long time ago, during the early Christian period in Ireland (between AD 400 and 1100).

The name "Cashelore" might mean "Fort Pride." Another name, "Cashel Bir," comes from caiseal bir, which means "stone ringfort of stakes." This suggests that the stone fort might have had a wooden fence or palisade around it at some point. The name "Bawnboy" comes from bábhún buidhe, meaning "yellow walled enclosure."

Cashelore in Ancient Records

This fort is believed to be the same place as Caislen-in-nuabhair, which is mentioned in an old Irish historical record called the Annals of Loch Cé. This record talks about events that happened in Ireland long ago.

For example, in the year 1389, the Annals mention a conflict involving important families:

Ó Ruairc subsequently brought the sons of Cathal Óg to him, and the war grew fierce after that. Eoghan O'Ruairc and the sons of Cathal Og went to Caislen-in-nuabhair, when the cavalry of Muintir hÉilidhe opposed them, and made an attack on them; and the son of Ó hÉilidhe was killed by them, together with Maghnus Ó hÉilidhe. Muintir hÉilidhe were plundered by O'Ruairc, and by the sons of Cathal Óg. Muirchertach Ó hÉilidhe was slain in this war. Maghnus Ó Ruairc was taken prisoner, per dolum, by Cormac Ó Fearghail. Peace was concluded by Ó Ruairc, and by Domhnall son of Muirchertach, and by the Clann-Donnchaidh, respectively.

This old text tells us about powerful families in Ireland at the time:

• The Ó Ruairc family were kings of West Breifne, which is roughly where County Leitrim is today.
• The Ó hÉilidhe (Healy) family lived around the Curlew Mountains, Ballinafad, and the western part of Lough Arrow.
• The phrase per dolum is Latin for "by trickery."
• The Ó Fearghail family ruled a place called Angaile, which is similar to today's County Longford.

This shows that Cashelore was an important place where historical events, like battles and agreements between powerful families, took place.

What Cashelore Looks Like

Cashelore is a stone ringfort. It measures about 23 meters (about 75 feet) from east to west and 16 meters (about 52 feet) from north to south. The walls of the fort are quite thick, about 3 meters (10 feet) wide, and stand about 2.4 meters (8 feet) high.

There is also a hidden underground passage called a souterrain that led from the fort down to the bottom of the hill. This passage might have been used as a secret escape route during times of danger.