Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

On the shore of a small headland at the NE end of Ballynakill Lough, in an area of rough pastureland sloping to the SW. The land rises steeply to Maumfin hill to the NW. There are good views to the S and particularly to the W.
This possible earthen rath (39.9m N-S; 32.6m E-W), subcircular in plan, is defined by a scarp from N through E to S and W and by traces of a bank (int. H 0.2m; Wth 0.8m; base Wth 2.15m; ext. H 0.45m), fosse (Wth 1.35m) and counterscarp bank (H 0.15m) from W to N. The monument is clear of overgrowth and lazy beds run across it in an ENE-WSW direction. The interior rises towards the centre where there is some evidence of disturbance. A number of large burrow holes are also visible. The enclosing scarp is truncated at SW where a subrectangular structure (GA022-122001-) was built against it. There is an enclosure (GA022-075----) c. 120m to the S on a small promontory jutting into the lake.
The monument was brought to the attention of the Archaeological Survey of Ireland by Helen Riekstiņš.

The following images have been uploaded:
GA022-122----_01.jpg W sector from S
GA022-122----_02.jpg View from SW

Compiled by: Olive Alcock

Edited by: Olive Alcock

Date of revised upload: 13 June 2023