Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In hilly pastureland with wide views to the N and S but overlooked by higher ground to the NE, E and SW. Conjoined with a rath (CL008-075001-) to the S. Hachured on the 1897 OS 25-inch plan and the 1920 ed. of the OS 6-inch map. Listed as 'Enclosure' in the RMP (1996). This subcircular rath (c. 56.5m N-S; c. 45m E-W) comprises a level interior space (36.5m E-W; 35.5m N-S) defined by a bank (Wth at base 5.3m, narrowing to 1.9m at top; int. H 0.2m; ext. H 0.75-1.55m) and an external fosse (max. Wth 4.2m at top, narrowing to max. 1.9m at base), to the N of which are remains of two further banks (middle bank: Wth 3.6m; int. H 1.4m; ext. H c. 0.15m; outer bank: Wth 1.9m; H 0.15m) with an intervening fosse (Wth 2m). There is a wide and poorly defined gap in the inner bank at the E-ESE, which may have been an entrance. At the S the inner bank conjoins with the outer bank of the abutting rath (CL008-075001-). Several modern cattle gaps run through the bank at WSW-NNW, and one at the NNE. The fosse outside this bank is traceable at NNW-SSE. At NW-NE it is steep-sided and flat-based, but its depth diminishes towards the SSE, while at SW-NNW it exists only as a berm. The middle and outer banks survive only at NNW-NE. It is possible that the outer bank was part of a later field boundary. An E-W running field bank crosses the S part of the interior, as well as the enclosing elements.

The following image has been uploaded:
CL008-075002-_01.jpg Aerial view from SE (ASI photo)

Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Conn Herriott

Date of upload: 29 November 2022

References

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.