Errigal Ringfort facts for kids
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Ráth Aireagail
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 Location in Ireland
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| Location | Errigal, Cootehill, County Cavan, Ireland |
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| Coordinates | 54°03′56″N 7°06′14″W / 54.065652°N 7.103841°W |
| Type | ringfort |
| Area | 951 m2 (10,240 sq ft) |
| History | |
| Material | earth |
| Periods | Bronze or Iron Age (c. 2400 BC – AD 400) |
| Site notes | |
| Ownership | private |
| Designation | National Monument |
Errigal Ringfort, also called Fort William, is an ancient ringfort (which is also known as a rath). It is located in County Cavan, Ireland, and is protected as a National Monument.
Contents
What is a Ringfort?
A ringfort is a special type of ancient home or farm. It was built a very long time ago, usually during the Bronze Age or Iron Age. This means they were used between about 2400 BC and AD 400.
How Ringforts Were Built
Ringforts were made by digging a big ditch and using the earth to build a high bank around a central area. This created a strong, circular wall. Sometimes, they had more than one bank and ditch for extra protection.
Who Lived in Ringforts?
Families lived inside these ringforts. They built houses, kept their animals safe, and grew crops within the protected area. The banks and ditches helped keep out wild animals and sometimes even other people.
Errigal Ringfort: A Special Place
Errigal Ringfort is a great example of these ancient sites. It is found in a place called Errigal, near Cootehill in County Cavan.
Where to Find Errigal Ringfort
This ringfort is about 1.6 kilometers (or about one mile) west-southwest of Cootehill. It sits just north of the River Annalee, which flows nearby. The ringfort covers an area of about 951 square meters.
Why Errigal Ringfort is Important
Errigal Ringfort is very important because it helps us learn about how people lived thousands of years ago in Ireland. Because it is a National Monument, it is officially protected by the government. This means it cannot be damaged, and its history is kept safe for everyone to learn from.
