Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

Internal diam. 42m E-W, 38.5m N-S
This well-preserved rath is situated on a N facing slope below Carrigavinnaun, on the E side of the Trabeg inlet. The circular interior contains the remains of at least 1 hut and is enclosed by a single earthen bank and fosse. The latter is 1.75m deep below the external ground level and up to 4m below the crest of the bank. It is not present along the N sector. The bank varies from .5 to 3.5m in height internally and there are slight traces of stone facing along its inner face in the E sector. Access to the interior is provided by an 8m wide causeway across the fosse at SW and a gap in the bank which is now only .5m wide.
The stone hut in the interior is roughly rectangular in plan and measures c. 7.5m x 8.5m internally. The collapsed walls stand to a maximum height of .7m and are c. 2m wide. The 9m long stretch of ruined walling which lies 5.5m to E of the hut may be part of a 2nd structure. The remainder of the interior is occupied by cultivation ridges.

The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 483. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 7 August 2013