Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

Encompassing a hummock in pastureland; formerly part of Belview Demesne. Indicated on the 1838 edition of the OS 6-inch map as an enclosed large subcircular mixed tree plantation (c. 94m N-S; c. 92m E-W)named 'Lisnaraha'. On the 1946 revision of the map the trees have been removed and a roughly circular enclosure (diam. c. 40m) is visible within a larger enclosure (diam. c. 93m). The central enclosure (35m N-S; 27m E-W) is defined by a denuded scarp (H 1.4-1.65m). The interior had been levelled off. Four wide cultivation ridges, set 1m apart, are visible in its N sector and there are three structures (GA100-037001-, GA100-037002- and GA100-037003-) in the centre. There is an approximate gap of 20m between the inner and outer enclosure. The latter is defined by a bank (Wth 0.75-3.5m; int. H 0.5m; ext. H 1.5m), which is visible all round and planted with mature beech trees, and a fosse (Wth 1.6-2m; D 0.4m), which survives from NE through S to W and from NW to N. Traces of a possible outer bank, defined by very low wide stony bank, are visible from SE to SSE and from S to WSW. There is a stone-lined entrance gap (Wth 1.7m) at N. The inner enclosure appears to be the remains of a rath. The outer enclosure appears to be a later feature and may relate to the 19th-century landscaping of the demesne.

Compiled by: Galway Archaeological Survey, UCG

Date of upload: 26 August 2019