Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

Located at the crest of the NE-facing slope of a hill. This is a scrub-covered subcircular area (int. dims 37m N-S; 31m E-W) defined by an overgrown, round-topped, steep-sided earthen bank (at N: Wth 2.9m; int. H 0.4m; ext. H 0.9-1.95m) which is separated by a fosse (at N: Wth of base 2.8m; ext. D 1.2m) from an outer bank (at N: Wth 4.5m; H 1.1m). There are entrances through both banks with causeways at E (Wth 1.5m) and at SE (Wth 2.1m). The monument is circumscribed by a field bank at E and there is a record of the discovery of a souterrain near it in the 1930s (Blaney 1944, file no. 143). Rath (LE027-067----) is c. 25m to the NE.
A magnetic gradiometry survey in the vicinity of both raths produced mixed results with much modern disturbance that is likely to be ploughing and drainage evident. However, running NE from this rath two arcs of positive anomalies c. 5m apart, perhaps as a stone-faced causeway, appear to be leading to the SW quadrant of (LE027-067----). The interior of this rath produced a number of high resistance anomalies, suggesting the presence of a large amount of stone, but no patterns were discernible. (Curran 2015, 8,9)

The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Leitrim' compiled by Michael J. Moore (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2003). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of revised upload: 8 June 2018

References

Blaney, N. 1944 Ballinamore Library, file nos. 124-47. Unpublished notes.

Curran, S. 2015 Geophysical survey report: Port, Co. Leitrim. RMP: LE027-066 / LE027-067; Licence No.: 15R0080. Unpublished report, Author