Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

On partially reclaimed flat pasture adjacent to the E bank of the River Shannon in a field liable to flooding. Annotated ‘Lisheen’ on 1840 ed. OS 6-inch map. Depicted as a semi-circular-shaped enclosure (approx. diam. c. 56m NE-SW x 38m NW-SE) backing onto the River Shannon on the 1897 ed. OS 25-inch map. Present remains consist of a semi-circular shaped area (approx. diam. 38m NE-SW x 26m NW-SE) enclosed by a wide bank with external ditch that would have been liable to flooding. A linear earthwork (L 60m; Wth 7m) is visible running SE from the NE end of the earthwork. It appears to consist of a bank with a ditch or fosse on either side. There is a suggestion of further earthworks to the Ne along the riverbank. A depression (approx. dims. 30m SE x 10m NE) adjacent to the river lies on the northern side of the linear earthwork. The location of the monument backing onto the River Shannon which forms an enclosing element along the NW side is unusual and significant. The siting of this earthwork is similar to cliff-edge forts where the enclosing element on one side is formed by a natural element such as a river in this instance. In winter months it is likely that the ditch served as a water-filled moat protecting the interior of the monument. This is clearly visible on Google Earth orthoimage taken 06/02/2018. Siting is not typical of ringforts in County Limerick. Possible moated enclosure defended by the River Shannon and by a water-filled moat, interior could have been accessible by boat from the River Shannon. Siting is similar to the Anglo-Norman ringwork castle (OF005-003001-) at Clonmacnoise.

See attached Google Earth orthoimages

Compiled by: Edmond O'Donovan

Date of upload: 9 June 2020