Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

Internal diam. 19.5m N-S, 12.5m E-W
This circular univallate rath is located on a N facing slope with good views of Coonanna Harbour to NW and Valencia Harbour to W. A fosse, 1.5m deep below external ground level and 3m wide, is only apparent around the E sector of the site. The bank, composed of earth with a core of small stone, rises 2m above the fosse and falls 1.25m to the rath's interior. Overlain by a field boundary at NW, three breaks in the bank at NNE, SE and W appear to be secondary. The location of the original entrance is unclear. An oval-shaped structure (KE080-005001-) of stone occupies the centre of the rath's interior and rests on top of a low mound, 1m high. It features an entrance, .6m wide, at W, and has internal dimensions of 8.2m N-S and 4.2m E-W. Of relatively modern date, it may have been used as an animal pen. The mound on which it is constructed may be the remains of a hut 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. 548. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 29 July 2013