Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

Internal diam. c. 26m. This site is much destroyed. It appears to have been a circular area enclosed by an earthen bank. The bank has been levelled and the interior raised. It is situated in good land on the crest of a small drumlin overlooking Donegal Bay.

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 02E0916
Pre-development testing was undertaken at the site of this proposed residential development on the outskirts of Donegal town. An assessment of the site had been undertaken in February 2001. Ten trenches were mechanically excavated. The land is primarily marshy and wet, and the stratigraphy exposed revealed that natural layers were often directly below the sod. There were few finds, two fragments of clay pipe and a number of sherds of 20th-century pottery being the only artefacts recovered. A number of stone-constructed drains were also revealed and are probably related to drainage operations undertaken in the 19th/20th century. The stratigraphy revealed did not indicate any evidence of features/deposits of archaeological significance. (Excavations Bulletin 2002)
Martin Fitzpatrick, Arch. Consultancy Ltd, Ballydavid South, Athenry, Co. Galway.