Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

A circular area (diam. c. 36m) defined by a bank (Wth c. 4m; int. H c. 0.35m, ext. H c. 1.5m) from SE-N and a shallow external fosse (Wth c. 7m). Known as 'Rath Easpuic' or 'the Bishop's Rath' (O'Hanlon and O'Leary 1907, vol. 1, 301). In undulating countryside with Rathaspick church (LA025-023) to the E. In 1846 the Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland recorded that, 'The monastic ruins (LA025-023001-/002-/003-/004-) of Rathasbuck [Rathaspick], the Bishop's fort [LA025-022----), on the estate of Sir William Grace, Bart., formerly presented an interesting object from the house of Gracefield' (Anon 1846, vol. 3, 117)'. The fort was described in 1846 as, 'At the distance of about 150 yards to the south-west of these ruins are the remains of a rath, or fort, the appellation of which evidently assists in forming the name of this parish; and the adjunct of 'Asbuck' (Bishop) is strongly indicative of primeval importance'(ibid.).

Anon (1846) The Parliamentary Gazetteer of Ireland, 1844-45. 3 Volumes. A. Fullarton and Co., Dublin, London, and Edinburgh.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Compiled by Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload/revision: 16 January 2012