Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

Internal diam. 26.8m.
This univallate rath is situated on the S side of Ballydavid Head, about 100m from the low cliffs that border the N side of the inlet into which the Feohanagh river flows. The earthen enclosing bank stands to a maximum height of c. 2.6m externally and 2.3m internally, and its inner face is revetted with drystone walling. At W a short stretch of this facing is stepped as if to create a sloping ramp or flight of steps leading to an upper terrace in the wall. There has been considerable interference with the outer face of the bank which is now almost sheer in parts. A short stretch of external revetment walling occurs at NE. Spill from the bank has accumulated in the entrance gap at NNW, but 2 courses of the drystone side wall remain on the E side; the gap is 1.5m wide. A blocked entrance occurs immediately W of the field wall which runs onto the bank at S, but this appears to be a modern break. Apart from a series of cultivation ridges, the only feature in the level interior is an irregular hollow or pit measuring 3m x 3.16m x c. 1m deep; this may be of fairly recent origin.

The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 319. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 6 August 2013