Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

Internal diameter 35m
Lissaniska/Lios an Uisce (ringfort of the water). This univallate rath is enclosed to the NW through N to NE by a fieldbank. The site consists of a circular area enclosed by a well-defined earth and stone bank, the exterior side of which is much steeper than the interior. The enclosing bank is 4m-7m wide and rises to a height of 3.8m externally and 1.4m above the interior. An external fosse encloses the site, except to the S through W, and is 3m wide and 1m below the height of the surrounding land. A 7.6m wide gap to the SW provides access to the interior, which is at a higher level than the surrounding land. On the 1841-42 OS map 'cave' is marked in the interior (KE009-004001-). In the S to SE sector there is a raised semi-circular area 1.2m high, and leading out from the N and curving NW is a ridge c. 2m wide and c. 7m long, which could possibly be the tunnel remains. In the W sector there is an oblong mound (KE009-004002-) 1.6m x 5.2m internally and 1m high, and extending out from this and curving SE is a narrow ridge c 2m wide and c8m long. There is only a gap of c 6m between two ridges, so possibly they are one and the same tunnel where the middle section has collapsed.

The above description is derived from C. Toal, ‘North Kerry Archaeological Survey’. Dingle. Brandon in association with FAS Training and Employment Authority (1995), no. 352. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 2 August 2013