Lackan Ringfort facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lackan Ringfort |
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| Native name Irish: Ráth Leacáin |
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| Type | ringfort |
| Location | Lackan, Ardrahan, County Galway, Ireland |
| Area | 1.15 ha (2.8 acres) |
| Elevation | 37 m (121 ft) |
| Official name: Lackan Ringfort | |
| Reference no. | 627 |
Lackan Ringfort is an ancient circular fort located in County Galway, Ireland. It is a very important historical site. Because of its special history, it has been named a National Monument of Ireland. This means it is protected by the government.
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Where is Lackan Ringfort?
Lackan Ringfort is found in a place called Lackan. It is about 1.8 kilometers (1.1 miles) northeast of a town called Ardrahan. This area is in County Galway, which is on the west coast of Ireland.
What is a Ringfort?
A ringfort is a type of ancient settlement. People built them a very long time ago, usually between 600 AD and 900 AD. They are circular areas surrounded by one or more banks and ditches. These banks and ditches were built for protection. Think of them like a fence or wall around a small farm or home.
Ringforts were homes for families and their animals. They were common across Ireland. Many thousands of them still exist today.
Lackan Ringfort: A Special Type
Lackan Ringfort is known as a "trivallate" ringfort. The word "trivallate" means it has three banks and three ditches. Most ringforts have only one or two. Having three layers of defense made Lackan Ringfort extra strong. This suggests it might have been home to an important or wealthy family.
Exploring the Souterrain
Inside Lackan Ringfort, there is also a "souterrain." A souterrain is an underground passage or chamber. People built these tunnels for different reasons. They might have been used for storage, like keeping food cool. They could also have been secret hiding places during attacks. Sometimes, they were just safe places for people to sleep.
The souterrain at Lackan Ringfort adds another interesting layer to its history. It shows how clever people were in ancient times. They built complex structures both above and below ground.
Why is Lackan Ringfort Important?
Lackan Ringfort helps us understand how people lived in Ireland over a thousand years ago. It shows their building skills and how they protected themselves. As a National Monument, it is preserved for future generations. This way, everyone can learn about Ireland's rich past.
