Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture on top of a NW–SE ridge, straddling the break of slope on the SW side, which provides excellent views to the W over a broad valley and NW to Currygrane Lake. Slightly raised circular area (41.6m NE–SW; 38.7m NW–SE) defined by an earthen bank (Wth 3–3.5m; int. H 1.2m; ext. H 1.45m at NE, 1.2m at SW) with an external fosse. The external face of the bank is cut almost vertically, probably as a result of the incorporation of the rath into a later field system. The internal slope is more degraded and broadly slumped. There is a break (Wth c. 4m) in the bank at S, possibly indicating the original entrance. At SW a short section of bank is reduced to a scarp, and at NW a section (L 5–6m) has been eroded to a low rise. The fosse appears as a barely discernible dip (Wth 2–2.5m) in the external ground level. For a short distance at SW, there is a more pronounced depression (Wth 2.7m; ext. D 0.45m) but this is likely to be a relatively recent modification/recut as it merges at WNW with a field drain, which borders a field fence intersecting with the rath at this point. The interior of the rath has a very slight slope down from NE–SW. The bank is densely ringed with hawthorn, ash and brambles.

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 17 January 2013