Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

Internal diam. 30m N-S, 29.5m E-W
Situated a short distance W of Tullynascally stream, in a large field devoted to pasture, this site comprises a poorly preserved rath containing the remains of a hut (KE065-033003-) and souterrain (KE065-033002-). The enclosing bank of earth and stone is very disturbed in the S and W quadrants, where it survives only as a low scarp. Elsewhere it averages 1.1m in external height and 1.4m in basal width. A possible entrance is evidenced at S, where a gap, 4.4m wide, occurs. Dense vegetation and disturbance by cattle have obscured any definite traces of a fosse.

Towards the centre of the site are the remains of a subcircular hut of drystone construction. It measures 5.7m N-S x 5m E-W internally, and its wall survives to a maximum height of 1.2m at W. It averages 1.6m wide, and a 1.1m wide gap at E may represent the entrance. A portion of the floor-level of the hut has collapsed into a section of a souterrain passage below. The passage runs NW-SE and leads to a chamber at SE (local information). The souterrain is now inaccessible.

The OSNB records two forts, Lisnabobacky (Lios na BÓ Bacaí) and Lissacappagh (Lios na Ceapaí), in the E side of this townland (Knockane, 14, 31). Either name may refer to this site.

The above description is derived from A. O'Sullivan and J. Sheehan (compilers), 'The Iveragh peninsula: an archaeological survey of South Kerry'. Cork University Press (1996), no. 477. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 28 July 2013