Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

This ringfort was destroyed about 15 to 20 years ago. It was shown on the OS maps as a roughly circular univallate enclosure. From the landowner's description it would appear to have been an earthen rath, possibly with some revetment walling along the inner face of the bank. A souterrain (KE042-042001-) discovered in the 1920's appears to have been located close to this site and may have been associated with it. During the removal of a heap of stones, a circular stone structure, about 10 feet (3m) in diameter, was exposed. An underground passage, about 3 feet (.9m) wide and 3 feet deep, led away from this and in it was found a small holed stone (O'Sullivan 1931, 506). Many years prior to this, a larger souterrain was discovered 'on the other side of the fence and on the same farm'. It is not clear whether these were separate structures or whether they formed part of a single souterrain. The area is one of low-lying level ground on the SSE side of Smerwick Harbour.

The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 656. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 7 August 2013