Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In level pasture, at base of Bailocke Mountain, commanding extensive view to N over River Blackwater valley. Circular area (diam. c. 45m) enclosed by three earthen banks, with intervening fosses; shallow outer fosse (D 0.4m) E->S and to SW for short distance. Inner bank (int. H 1m; ext. H 1.1m) survives best to S; middle bank (H 1.25m) uniform all round; outer bank (H 1.25m) incorporated into field fence system to W. All banks planted with coniferous and deciduous trees. Field boundary, stone-faced externally, skirts enclosure NW->E with ends to NW and E gradually curving in to meet outer bank. Causewayed entrance to E. Break in middle and outer bank to S. Interior level; planted with coniferous trees; souterrain (CO041-01102-) in SW quadrant. According to Bowman (1934, 573), fort called 'Lios an Uisge (Fort of the Water) has four ramparts' with about one-tenth of outer rampart levelled.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009