Baylet: Archaeology and History

Baylet lies on the southern shore of Inch Island; the archaeological site is immediately east of the northern end of the Farland Embankment. Prehistoric sites, a large ringfort and historic road names give the place a clear archaeological and cultural-historical focus. For travellers interested in local history and landscape, these themes provide a concrete point of reference when choosing a destination.

Archaeology: Sites and Periods

The archaeological heritage includes a prehistoric shell midden site, recorded for the period from 12,700 BC to AD 400. Baylet (1) is also listed as a Mesolithic shell midden site dating from 8000 to 4001 BC. The first site is recorded for a period extending to AD 400; Baylet (1), by contrast, is more specifically associated with the Mesolithic period from 8000 to 4001 BC.

The shell midden site in Baylet was located at the edge of a steep escarpment at least two metres high. The deposits included, among other things, clusters of periwinkles that were more than 0.1 metres thick and almost one metre wide. These measurements refer to the periwinkle clusters themselves. Alongside the long time periods, this gives specific details about the site.

Ringfort and Other Monuments

Substantial remains of the large ringfort survive in Baylet. Archaeological monuments are also recorded as a souterrain, a site of one or more standing stones, and a short cist grave type.

Historic road connections are also named: one road ran from Baylet to Mill Bay and was called Castle Quarter road. Another ran from Bank End to Baylet and was called Shore road. Both names relate to historic routes and add a sense of how the area was once navigated to the archaeological themes.

Landscape and Protected Areas

Nearby is Farland Bank, also called Farland Embankment, a causeway between Farland Point and Inch Island. Inch Lough, a body of water separated from Lough Swilly, formed between the causeway and Inch Island. The names help to place Baylet on the island’s southern shore and establish its connection with the Farland Embankment.

Baylet is included in the regulations for the Lough Swilly Special Protection Area. The Greenland white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons flavirostris) is named as a protected bird species in the area. Inch Island in County Donegal is home to an internationally important wintering site for whooper swans; an average of around 6,000 birds winter there.

Another natural attraction in County Donegal is the Inch Wildfowl Reserve. It was developed with conservation management, local community involvement and visitor infrastructure. Public access there is restricted.

More History in County Donegal

County Donegal also offers distinct historical points of interest. Donegal Castle was the personal stronghold of Red Hugh O’Donnell, Lord of Tír Conaill. Tours tell its story from the time of the Gaelic lords through the Plantation and its long period as a ruin to its recent restoration; check tour availability before travelling. Doe Castle is a medieval stronghold of the MacSweeneys and adds another type of fortress to this overview of County Donegal’s history.

Discover more destinations: Gweedore, Termon, Fort Stewart, Figary, Ballyshannon, Bun Cranncha, Milford, Glenties

For the wider travel overview: County Donegal.