About
Staigue Stone Fort (also known as Cathair na Stáige or Cathair na Ríogach) is a prehistoric stone ring fort in County Kerry, near Sneem, on the Ring of Kerry. It sits at Castlecove, in the Iveragh Peninsula, and is one of the best-preserved monuments of its kind in Ireland.
What you will see
The fort is built entirely of dry-stone walling, with no mortar holding the blocks together. Its walls rise up to about 5.5 metres in places, and they still give a clear sense of the scale and skill of the people who raised them. The fort is usually dated to around 300 to 400 AD, a period when Ireland's Iron Age communities were building enclosures of this kind. Walking around the inner edge of the ring, you can follow the wall's curve and judge its height for yourself.
What kind of visit it makes
A visit here suits anyone interested in archaeology, early architecture or the landscape of south-west Ireland. It is an outdoor site, so it is best approached on foot, and the walk around the walls takes some time at an unhurried pace. Bring suitable footwear, as the ground can be uneven and wet.
Staigue is a good stop when travelling the Ring of Kerry, and the village of Sneem nearby offers places to eat and rest. The surrounding countryside of mountains, bays and farmland gives the monument its setting, and many visitors combine the fort with other sights on the peninsula.
Getting in touch
For questions before your visit, you can call +353 64 664 1222.
