Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

A circular enclosure is marked on the first edition of the OS map at this location, in an area of level pastureland that otherwise slopes down S towards Lough Currane. No surface trace of the enclosure survives, but a collapsed section of a souterrain (KE089-052----) passage is present. Measuring 2.8m long, it is aligned NE-SW and most of its roofing lintels have collapsed. The passage averages 1m deep and 1m wide. Its drystone walls are well-constructed of horizontal coursing and corbel slightly inwards towards roofing level. Five upright slabs flank the side-walls of the passage, three at NW and two at SE, but are not bonded into the walls. The passage narrows at both ends, and a small lintelled opening occurs at the base of the NE end-wall. Measuring .2m high and .55m wide, it is largely blocked by collapse. A similar, though less well-defined opening, occurs in the SW end-wall, which is largely obscured with collapse.

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. 670. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 29 July 2013