Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, on a low hill. A circular area (40m E-W) defined by two earthen banks, an intervening fosse and an outer fosse. The inner bank (Wth 5m; int. H 1.3m; ext. H 2.9m) is broken by cattle gaps at E and NNW. The intervening fosse (Wth 2m) has been re-cut SE-W, creating a berm along the external face of the inner bank and the internal face of the outer bank. The outer bank (Wth 3.8m; int. H 1.6m; ext. H 2m) is planted with a mixture of deciduous and coniferous trees and is denuded in places by cattle. The outer fosse (D 0.7m) survives SSW-N, where it has been recut to act a field drain, and for a short section along the E arc. There is a possible causeway entrance (Wth 1.6m in the inner bank; Wth 2m in the outer bank) at ESE. The terminals at the N and S sides of the entrance in the inner bank are stone faced. A low NNW-SSE ridge (Wth 2m; H 0.2m) in the overgrown interior extends from a break in the inner bank at NNW to the S of the centre. There is a concentration of loose stones at the base of a tree in the NE quadrant of the interior. Field boundaries radiate from the outer bank at N, SSW and NW. Field boundaries at SE and ENE abut the outer fosse.

Compiled by: Elizabeth Byrne, Ursula Egan and Sheila Ronan, Archaeological Survey Unit, University College, Cork.

Date of upload: 31 January 2011