Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

Internal diam. 24.2m NE-SW, 22.85m NW-SE. A subcircular area enclosed by an earthen bank from .3m to 1.75m in height. Although largely destroyed and encroached upon by modern field boundaries, there is clear evidence for an external fosse c. 3.95m in width and an outer earthen bank. A gap in the inner bank to the ENE is a possible entrance. It is 1.4m in width. A 2.55m break in the rush vegetation external to the bank-gap may indicate a causeway across the fosse. The site is located on the crest of a drumlin near its NE end in generally good pasture with some marshy ground.

The above description was derived from the 'Archaeological Survey of County Donegal. A description of the field antiquities of the County from the Mesolithic Period to the 17th century.' Compiled by: Brian Lacey with Eamon Cody, Claire Cotter, Judy Cuppage, Noel Dunne, Vincent Hurley, Celie O'Rahilly, Paul Walsh and Seán Ó Nualláin (Lifford: Donegal County Council, 1983). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated.

Date of upload: 22 September 2008

Excavation licence number 04E1585
Pre-development testing on the site of a proposed dwelling at Coolshangan, Inver, Co. Donegal, was carried out on 1 December 2004. The proposed development was within the archaeological constraint for a ringfort (SMR 92:9), located in the next field south of the development site. The testing comprised the excavation (by machine) of four trenches, which revealed natural undisturbed stratigraphy (i.e. topsoil above sterile natural subsoil). The fill of an existing access road into the field and a modern land drain were also uncovered. No artefacts were uncovered during the testing. (Excavations Bulletin 2004)
Richard Crumlish, 61 An Cladrach, Castlebar Road, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo.