Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In pastureland on a S-facing slope, some 150m to the WNW of a Kilcloony Castle (GA016-062001-). This poorly preserved circular rath (D 57m) is defined by two banks and an intervening fosse. The inner bank (Wth 4.5m; int. H 0.2m; ext. H 0.9m) is only visible at N and SW; elsewhere a scarp forms the enclosing element. The fosse (Wth 2.8m) and outer bank (Wth 2m; int. H 0.2m; ext. H 0.55m) survive all round except at SE or NW. FitzPatrick (2019, 24) noted field boundaries, on LiDAR imagery, extending off the rath at S, SW and NW. Segments of further curving field banks were also visible on the imagery in the field further to the N and S of the rath, and also in the field adjoining it to the E (see GA016-062002-). They may be part of a field system (GA016-064001-) associated with the rath. (CUCAP ATF 57; Alcock et al. 1999, 114)

Compiled by: Olive Alcock

Date of upload: 7 December 2022

References

FitzPatrick, E. 2019 A settlement of the Uí hUiginn poets and its landscape setting Kilcloony, county Galway Cill Chluaine, Conmhaicne Mac Fheóruis. Internal Milltown Heritage Group report. Unpublished.

CUCAP - Cambridge University Collection of Aerial Photographs. Unit for Landscape Modelling, Department of Geography, University of Cambridge. See:https://www.cambridgeairphotos.com

Alcock, O., de Hora, K. and Gosling, P. 1999 Archaeological Inventory of County Galway. Vol. II. North Galway. Dublin. Stationery Office.