Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

Near the top of a hill on a W-facing slope, in undulating pastureland with wide views in all directions. Hachured and labelled 'Knocknaraha' on the 1842 and 1920 eds. of the OS 6-inch map, and 'Cnoc na Ráithe' on Robinson's (1977) map. Listed as 'Ringfort' in the RMP (1996). This circular rath (int. diam. 39.5m N-S) is defined by a large, round-topped and steep-sided earthen bank (Wth 6.1-10.7m; av. int. H 0.7m; ext. H 1.7-3m) and flat-bottomed external fosse (Wth 3.15-3.2m; D 0.3m). Some large boulders can be seen in the make-up of the bank. It is reduced to a scarp from SE to SSE (L 5.1m), which may indicate a former entrance gap. However, there is no causeway over the fosse here or at any place around its circuit. There are two modern gaps in the bank, one (Wth 3m) at the NE and another (Wth 0.5m) at the SSW. A modern field bank (av. Wth 2m) and ditch (Wth 1.5m; D 0.5m) run around the outside of the fosse from SE to NW. Within the SE-sloping interior a curving line of three long, low earthen mounds (L 10.5m combined; max. H 0.5m; Wth 3.1m) runs parallel to the rath perimeter.

The following images have been uploaded:
CL008-073----_01.jpg Aerial view from NW (ASI photo, SMR file)
CL008-073----_02.jpg Aerial view from SE (ASI photo, SMR file)
CL008-073----_03.jpg Ground view from SW

Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Conn Herriott

Date of upload: 29 November 2022

References

Robinson, T. 1977 (revised 1999) The Burren: a two-inch map of the uplands of north-west Clare. Map scale 1:31680. Roundstone: Folding Landscapes.

Record of Monuments and Places as established under Section 12 of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994, County Clare. Issued by National Monuments and Historic Properties Service 1996. Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands.