Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

Located on the NE-facing slope of a hill. This is a grass-covered circular area (int. diam. 24.5m N-S; 24m E-W) defined by a round-topped and overgrown, steep-sided earthen bank (at W: Wth 4.45m; int. H 0.9m; ext. H 1.1m) S-W-N, which is reduced to a scarp elsewhere and which is separated by a fosse (at W: Wth of base 4.15; D 0.75m) from an outer bank (at W: Wth 3.4m; H 0.1m) SW-N. The original entrance is not identified visually. Rath (LE027-066----) is c. 25m to the SW.
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, a number of features that could be pits or natural hollows were also recorded N of (LE027-067----). Running NE from (LE027-066---) two arcs of positive anomalies c. 5m apart appear to be leading to the SW quadrant of (LE027-067----), perhaps as a causeway with ditches at either side. An earth resistance survey along the E side of this rath can confirm the presence of a bank and outer fosse here, but there is no evidence of an external bank on this side. High resistance anomalies in the interior suggest that whatever features are present have a large stone component, although no pattern could be discerned. A line of high resistance anomalies across the bank and ditch at SE hints at the possibility of an entrance here. (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

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 Unpublished report, Author