Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, on a SE-facing slope, in the valley of the Sheen River. An oval area (44m NE-SW; 35m NW-SE) defined by two earthen banks and an intervening fosse. The inner earthen bank (Wth 5.8m; int. H 0.65m; ext. H 2.1m) is evident SE-ENE and the interior is defined by a scarp elsewhere. The intervening fosse (Wth 1.8m; D 0.3m) is visible NE-W and the outer bank (Wth 5.85m; H 0.85m) NE-W. There is a stone wall on top of the inner bank W-NNE. There is a causeway entrance (Wth 2.5m) at ENE. Mature deciduous trees and undergrowth obscure the interior and portions of the inner bank. The S portion of the interior is raised to compensate for the hillslope. Field boundaries abut the rath at SW and N. There is a children's burial ground (KE102-007001-) and a possible souterrain (KE102-007002-) in the S half of the interior. The area is named 'Knockaunalassa' on the 1846 and 1895 OS 6-inch maps.

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