Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In wet pasture, 40m N of townland boundary with Crean, with annexe or conjoined ringfort (LI031-070002----) to E. Enclosure (LI031-071----) lies 70m to NE, road (LI031-069----) 105m to W, ringfort (LI031-106----) annotated ‘Lisduffnacrean’ lies 345m to SW. Monument annotated ‘Entrenchment’ on 1897 ed. OSi 25-inch map. Depicted on this map as raised roughly D-shaped platform (dims. c. 50m NW-SE x 50m NE-SW) with straight sides at E and S defined by a bank visible at W only elsewhere reduced to a scarp with fosse visible from NW-N-E, and conjoined enclosure to E. Westropp (1919, 16) suggested that this monument may have been one of the assembly places in Co. Limerick.
Described by Westropp (1920, 374) as follows; ‘on the road from Rathmore to Caherguillamore, and, despite its apparently low site, has pleasant, distant views of Knockfirina, Tory Hill and the Galtees. Its plan consists of an irregular, rather shield-shaped platform to the east, surrounded by a fosse. The western part is cut into a slight “rise” on the northern face, the rest terraced, like its neighbour, 4 to 5 feet [1.2-1.5m] over the low field, and a few feet lower than the rise. The western mound measures 190 feet [58m] across north and south, and 230 feet [70m] east and west. It had a parapet, now quite levelled, on which grow several large hawthorns. It is 110 feet [33.5m] long at its junction with the other wing. I saw no stone facing. The eastern wing [LI031-070002-] is still more irregular, about 180 feet [55m] east and west, and 165 feet [50m] to 200 feet [61m] north and south, with a few bushes on its eastern parapet, and a wet fosse. Outside the north ditch was a bold outer mound, 9 to 12 feet [2.7m – 3.6m] thick and 5 to 7 feet [1.5m – 2.1m] over the fosse. The north cusp is 7 feet [2.1m] high, and well preserved, running into the usual angle between the platforms, and crowded with hawthorns.’
Earthwork described by O’Kelly (1944, 51) as consisting of, ‘two conjoined sub-rectangular enclosures which are bounded only by fosses, which vary between 15’ [4.5m] and 30’ [9m] in width and are about 5’ [1.5m] deep. A common fosse separates the two portions, and if at any time there were banks, no trace of them has survived. The long axis runs N.E-S.W. and measures 475’ [145m] overall. Both portions of the monument are 270’ [82m] wide. The entrance is not recognisable. It is situated in poor low-land.’
The conjoined earthwork is visible as D-shaped area enclosed by a fosse with trace of partially tree-lined bank from NW-NE on OSi orthophotograph taken between 2005-12. Trace of inner fosse from NW-NE and possible causeway gap at NW. Outline of monument visible on Google Earth orthoimage dated 20/09/2020. Traces of post-1700 field boundary intersects the site at SE and possible field drains intersect at N, NE and SW are visible on both the OSi orthophotograph and Google Earth orthoimages.

See attached drawing of conjoined enclosure from Westropp 1919 and Google Earth orthoimages

Compiled by: Fiona Rooney

Date of upload: 31 March 2020

See attached ASI aerial photographs ASIAP – 307/10 and 11 taken 13/09/2002.

References

O'Kelly, M.J. 1944 A survey of the antiquities in the barony of Small County, Co. Limerick. North Munster Antiquarian Journal 4, 16-53.

Westropp, T.J. 1920 The assembly-place of ´Oenach Cairbre and Síd Asail at Monasteranenagh, County Limerick. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 35C, 363-77.

ASIAP - Archaeological Survey of Ireland Aerial Photographs (c. 1996 - c. 2010).

Westropp, T.J. 1919 The ancient places of assembly in the counties Limerick and Clare. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 49, 1-24.