Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In relatively level, low-lying, wet pasture. A raised circular area (diam. 27.2m) enclosed by a low bank of earth and stone (Wth 7.6m; H 0.3m max.) with a wide, shallow, external fosse (Wth 5.2m; D 0.3m). The rath is divided into unequal portions by a modern NW–SE field boundary. The portion to the SW of it has been levelled but its outline is still identifiable. Archaeological excavations were undertaken in the much-larger NE section in 1991 and 1993 prior to the construction of the Longford by-pass (Carroll 1992a, 32; 1994, 53-4). The excavations revealed a series of four circular structures and a pre-rath palisade trench. A charcoal sample taken from one of the structures yielded a calibrated C14 date of 431 AD. The palisade trench cuts through at least two of the structures indicating that they predate it. This suggests that in its initial phase the monument comprised an unenclosed settlement. The evidence suggests that the rath was constructed in the 7th/early 8th centuries. Two phases of ironworking were revealed, the first was on the upper layer of the palisade trench. Two C14 dates both gave a calibrated date of 534 AD (with date ranges of 400-610 and 419-596 Cal. AD) indicating that the first phase predated the rath and may have postdated the palisade trench. The second phase was contemporary with the occupation of the rath and yielded late 7th and late 9th-century C14 dates. A wooden structure for a revetment was uncovered along each side of the fosse by the entrance, while at the entrance causeway itself, the palisade trench was reused as part of a multiple gateway system. The finds included a bronze stick-pin of uncertain date, a quern fragment and loom weight. No closely datable finds were recovered from the rath. The only stratified finds were a possible iron ring-headed pin shank and a small piece of stone with a roughly carved cross from the basal material of the bank. (Carroll 1992b, 286-8; 1995, 269; Stout 1997, 25) the basal material of the bank. (Carroll 1992b, 286-8; 1995, 269; Stout 1997, 25)

Compiled by: Patrick F. O'Donovan

Date of upload: 22 November 2011