Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, on a SW-facing slope, with commanding views over the valley of the Roughty River to the S. A circular area (29.5m N-S; 28m E-W) defined by two earthen banks with an intervening fosse. The inner bank (Wth 6m; int. H 1.2m; ext. H 3m) is visible SW-ENE but is poorly preserved with intermittent gaps ENE-SW. The intervening fosse (Wth 2.3m; D 0.7m) is visible S-ENE and infilled ENE-S with slippage from the inner bank. There is a causeway entrance at S. The outer bank (Wth 2.4m; int. H 0.7m; ext. H 1m) is visible S-E and barely traceable E-S. Trees grow on both the inner and outer banks. The interior is level. An 'oval-shaped house' measuring '9ft. [2.74m] high, with base of 6ft [1.83m], and with walls about 2ft [0.61m] thick', was recorded at the rath in the 1940s (ITA). It is described as having been built with limestone rocks and mortar with one side crumbled and situated at a lower level to the rath. There are no visible remains of this feature which was most likely the remains of the limekiln which is depicted abutting the rath at NE on the 1842 OS 6-inch map.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Kerry. Volume I: South-West Kerry' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 30 May 2011