Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

Not marked on the OS maps, this subcircular enclosure and souterrain are located on the summit of a low hillock on the S side of River Hill, a short distance W of the Ardsheelhane river. The enclosure is poorly preserved and measures 18.5m N-S x 21m E-W internally. The enclosing element is ruined and overgrown and survives best along its W sector, where a short stretch of rough stone facing is visible. It survives for much of the remainder of its circuit as a collapsed stony spread. The wall has a maximum height of .9m at W and is on average 1m wide.
The entrance to the souterrain (KE091-050001-) is centrally located in the raised interior of the enclosure. It measures .6m x .5m and gives access to a lintelled passage, 2m long N-S, with sides of earth. At its S end is a narrow creepway which leads into a similarly orientated passage, 4m long. The passage decreases in height from 1.3m at its N end to less than .5m at its S end. It averages 1m wide and is roofed with lintels. Its sides are of earth.

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

Date of upload: 29 July 2013