QUB experts to begin survey of crannog found near Moneymore
Archaeologists from Queen’s University are to carry out a survey of what is believed to be an ancient fort in Co Londonderry.
The remains of the man-made island dwelling, known as a crannog, emerged after a swamp in Maghadone, near Moneymore, dried out following a drought.
This fort may have been used by Hugh O’Neill, the last of the O’Neill chieftains, as a hiding place before the Flight of the Earls more than 400 years ago. The stones were found near the home of Sean Corey, the chairman of the Loup Historical Society.
He’d grown up hearing rumours of a hidden medieval structure, but no one was able to access it because the land was too wet. He added: “Sean spent three weeks clearing the site to release it from dense undergrowth.”
Mr Corey said: “Once I saw the curve of stones, I knew we had something there. We found a complete wall, four or five feet in height and 90 feet in diameter. It’s very exciting.”