Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In rough pastureland within the grounds of the Ballybrit racecourse. This circular rath (diam. 56m) was originally defined by an unusually low broad bank (Wth 8-10m; H 1m). In 1971 when the racecourse was widened the NW quadrant of the enclosing bank and part of the interior were removed under archaeological supervision (Waddell 1971, 73-9). The rest of the monument was undisturbed. A low L-shaped earthen mound noted in NW quadrant of the interior, prior to the works, proved to be the remains of a small double wall-faced drystone structure (max. dims. 4m E-W; 3.8m N-S; ) constructed of undressed limestone blocks. Its purpose was not obvious and its date was inconclusive as no finds were recovered from it. Slightly W of centre traces of a house (GA082-013001-) were evident, and E of this a Y-shaped earthen bank (av. Wth 2m; H 0.5m) appeared to be an internal division. Slight surface irregularities in the SW quadrant may have marked other structural remains and 5m to the S of the bank were the remains of another subrectangular structure (max. int. Wth 5m) (ibid., 73). No trace of a fosse was noted (ibid., 74). Finds included post-medieval pottery, a bronze spear butt and a hone stone. An enclosure (GA082-014----) lay 25m to the W.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Galway Vol. I - West Galway'. Compiled by Paul Gosling (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1993). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Updated by: Olive Alcock

Date of revised upload: 30 August 2018

This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 14/1977).

References

Waddell, J. 1971 A ringfort at Ballybrit, Co. Galway. Journal of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society 32, 73-9.