Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

Internal diam. 26m E-W, 24m N-S
This roughly circular univallate rath is located on the lower S slopes of Knockmulanane overlooking the Anascaul valley. A N-S stream gully skirts the E side of the enclosure and takes the place of the fosse in this sector. The fosse is a maximum of 2m deep below the external ground level and 2.75m deep below the crest of the bank; it is c. 2 to 4m wide. The bank reaches a maximum internal height of 2m at N but disappears completely along the S sector where the site is defined by a 2.75m high scarp, the interior being considerably raised above the external ground level on this downhill side. The causewayed entrance faces SSW and is 1.5m wide. It may be stone-lined but dense vegetation prevents a close inspection. There is also a 7m wide gap in the bank at the point where the fosse meets the stream gorge at N, but this is unlikely to be original. A stone-faced recess occurs in the outer face of the bank at N. It is c. 2.75m wide and 1.5m deep and its function is uncertain. The interior is occupied by a tree plantation and the entire site is densely overgrown.

The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 374. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 6 August 2013