Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In rough pasture, on a SW-facing slope overlooking the valley of the Sheen River. A roughly oval area (33.5m NE-SW; 27m NW-SE) is defined by the remains of two banks and an intervening fosse. The inner earthen bank (Wth 2.9m; int. H 0.6m; ext. H 0.75m) is evident N-SSE while a scarp (H 1.2m) is evident SSE-N. The scarp is partially eroded along the S arc. An intervening fosse (Wth 3.2m) is evident N-SSE. The outer bank (Wth 3.2m; int. H 0.7m; ext. H 0.6m) is evident N-SSE. Traces of stone inclusions are visible on the internal face of the inner bank along the NE arc. There is a possible entrance (Wth c. 2m) at SE and several smaller cattle-breaks along the perimeter. The interior slopes down to the SW where it is raised (H 1.2m) above the external ground level; three boulders are embedded in the SW quadrant. A NE-SW field boundary abuts the SE arc of the scarp externally. The enclosing elements and the interior are largely obscured by gorse and whitethorn bushes.

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