Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

Internal diameter could not be taken
This univallate rath is marked on the 1841-42 OS map as a complete circular enclosure. On the later map, a road cuts through this site in a NW-SE direction. Today the arc of an earthen bank runs from the NW through W to SW, where it was c 3m wide and rose to .4m above the external ground level and .3m above the interior, has since been completely levelled. In the SW sector of the interior, close to the bank, are the remains of a souterrain. The souterrain (KE016-062001-), which comprises several chambers with a connecting creep, is constructed of drystone walling. The first chamber is sub-circular in plan and rises to a height of 1.5m. The 'beehive' method is used and the capping stone is a large flat slab measuring .8m across. There is a narrow creep, .2m above the floor level, leading from this chamber. It has a maximum width of .5m and height of .4m, and runs for .64m to the second chamber. This chamber is D-shaped in plan and rises to a height of 1.68m. Another creep passage extends out of the SE side and runs roughly ENE for 1.62m, beyond which the passage was collapsed. The passages are all capped with large lintel stones.

The above description is derived from C. Toal, ‘North Kerry Archaeological Survey’. Dingle. Brandon in association with FAS Training and Employment Authority (1995), no. 653. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 2 August 2013