Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture in gently undulating terrain; the ground falls away gradually to the E into a small valley. A very slightly raised circular area (31.7m N–S; 31m E–W) defined by an earthen bank from NE–E–SE and elsewhere by a low scarp, and enclosed by an external fosse. The surviving flat-topped bank (Wth c. 4m; int. H 0.5–0.7m; ext. H 2.2m) has a low slumped internal slope and a steep, almost vertical external face and it is incorporated into a later field fence/property boundary which extends to NE. The scarp (H 0.5–0.7m) can be clearly traced but is low and degraded, slumping gradually into the fosse. The fosse is visible as a broad, shallow water-logged depression (Wth 3.5m; ext. D 0.6m at E, 0.3m at W). From NE–E–SE it has been incorporated into the line of a later field drain but it retains its original size and curve. However, from SSE–S–SW its external edge has been truncated and subsumed into a field drain that borders a road lying immediately to the SE. A section of the fosse at N appears to be very slightly drier and shallower. This may indicate an access causeway but it is not clearly defined and may be a relatively recent feature. The interior of the rath is level, grassy and featureless.access causeway but it is not clearly defined and may be a relatively recent feature.

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 9 January 2013