Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated at the N tip of a S-N spur of a drumlin. This is a grass and rush-covered circular area (int. diam. 37m E-W; 35.5m N-S) which is defined by two overgrown earthen banks and an intervening fosse (max. ext. diam. 84m N-S; 81.5m E-W). The inner bank is flat-topped (Wth of base 6.5-10.2m; Wth of top 2-3m) and steep-sided (int. H 1m at E to 2.2m at S; ext. H 3.2-3.6m), although it has been spread about SW-NW and ENE-SE. The outer bank varies in width (Wth of base 2.5m at S to 6m at N; ext. H 1-2m). The fosse (Wth of top 12.4-14.4m; Wth of base 3.7m at S to 7m at E; ext. D 0.5-1.2m) is flat-bottomed and water-logged in places with a berm (Wth 1-3m) separating it from the outer bank, except at W (total ext. D 1-1.6m S-W to 2.3-2.6m N-E). There is an entrance through the inner (Wth of base 3.4m) and outer (Wth of base 3.5m) banks and a causeway (Wth of top 4.5m) at ESE. In general, there are smaller dimensions on all features along the E side, and it is likely that the fosse has been re-dug at some time with the spoil added to the inner bank.

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.

Compiled by: Michael Moore

Date of revised upload: 14 October 2019