Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

National Monument No. 10035. Internal diam. 22.1m
This enclosure lies about 130m NE of KE034-041----, and commands an extensive view in all directions from the lower W slopes of Brandon mountain. The circular internal area is enclosed to S by a stone wall which is incorporated into the present field boundary system, and to N by an earthen bank, revetted internally with drystone masonry. The wall is .6m high externally, up to 1.25m high internally and .8m to 1m wide. It rests upon a footing of earth and stone which is probably the remains of the original earthen bank. The earthen bank is a maximum of 2m high externally and the stone facing on its inner flank is not well preserved. It is not clear where the original entrance lay, but at WNW the bank is considerably denuded, and a stone set on edge here could have formed part of an entrance feature.
In the interior are the remains of 3 circular stone huts. (KE034-039001-) abuts the enclosure wall at WSW, (KE034-039002-) lies in the SE part of the enclosure, and (KE034-039003-) lies directly N of (KE034-039002-). The sub-rectangular stone structure in the NW part of the enclosure is probably a later animal pen or shelter built with stones robbed from the other huts.

(1) (KE034-039001-) Only the W half of this hut survives, i.e. that portion which is incorporated into the enclosure wall. The slightly corbelled wall stands to a maximum height of 1.45m and defines an area 2.7m in diameter.
(2) (KE034-039002-) This well-preserved clochaun measures at least 3.7m in internal diameter. The wall is a maximum of 1.6m high externally, but it has collapsed inwards preventing access to the interior; it is 1.25m wide. The structure is built upon a base which extends .75m beyond the wall and which is .5m high. This latter was probably provided to create a level platform for the construction of the hut.
(3) (KE034-039003-) Only the E half of this hut survives. It is 5.3m in internal diameter, and the wall is 1.5m wide and up to 1.1m high.

The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 343. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 6 August 2013