Irish Fairy Forts: Portals to the Past

by Jo Kerrigan, Richard Mills

Far more than just a faint echo of the past, Ireland's fairy forts are still vibrantly alive. 

The traditions connected to them are so powerful that, even today, people rarely interfere with Irish fairy forts or fairy trees. They aren't built on; roads curve around them; farmers don't plough over them 

The most numerous ancient remains in Ireland today, numbering up to 50,000 or more, these enigmatic mounds and grassy banks seem to call out to us from an earlier time. So, what are they, who built them and what were they for? And how have so many survived for so long?

With evocative photographs by Richard Mills, master folklorist Jo Kerrigan explores the origins of these mysterious circular the stories and legends, the history and archaeology, the living traditions and practices connected to them. And reminds us of the dangers of disturbing the ancient spirits dwelling beneath.

Genres: Folklore

256 pages, Hardcover

Published October 2, 2025

Reviews

[Clíona Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this account of fairy forts in Ireland and the tales locals have about the consequences of messing with them. The author did a great job of contextualising the superstitions and even rituals of worship that persist in Ireland to this day, taking us back to their ancient pagan roots and explaining how Christianity claimed them for their own (e.g. St Brigid’s day was a day of worship for the ancient goddess Brigid long before Christianity arrived). I felt a beautiful connection to the pagan rituals of old from reading this book and I’ll definitely be recommending it to anyone I know who is curious about the ancient magic of our beautiful country!

[Christine Neaverth Michelsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful! A book all about Irish folklore in the most beautiful way

[Patrick Cormack · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific read. I have a bit of a fascination with mythology and folklore and this book was right up my street. I am intrigued by superstition and folklore and the detail that this book goes into is great. I have a fairy fort and fairy tree on my farm and have always had them in high esteem and respect. I wanted to read this book in order to learn more about these special features and how to respect them and work with them (if that’s makes sense) in the future.

[Brian Mulhall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful descriptions of fairy forts and many other elements of pre-Christian Ireland. I think this book would be an excellent recommendation for anyone interested in Ireland, mythology, or how a culture can be preserved through the land. The Old Ways continue in new forms in spite of the efforts of Christian and English colonialism to kill them. Tiocfaidh ár lá.

[Gerry McCaffrey · Rating 1 out of 5]

The word that came to mind in reading this gift was “vacuous”… it may have a title “Irish Fairy Forts” but that is but one chapter.
At least the read led me to watch the six part “The Celts” on Amazon Prime, that was well worth the effort.