Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

Described by O'Kelly (1944, 22) as following; 'A circular platform with a bank at its edge. The W. half has been partially levelled. Westropp gives its measurements as 108' [33m] E-W and 125' [38m] N-S, but in fact the monument is circular and the overall diameter is 190' [58m]. The entrance seems to have been on the E. side where the fosse is causewayed. The max. height of the bank over the fosse-bottom is about 15' [4.5m]. It is situated on the highest point of the west shoulder of Knockainy. Westropp on insufficient evidence identifies it as the Síd of Eoghabal or the fort called Dun Cliach repaired by Brian Boru'.
In 2004 this monument was described as following; 'This circular earthen feature crowns the summit of the western side of the hill. It has a maximum diameter of 60m east-west. A substantial bank survives to a height of approximately 2m above interior ground level on the northern and southern sides. It is 8m wide at the north, composed of a mixture of earth and stone. The enclosing ditch averages 8m in width and is up to 1.5m deep. A 7m-wide entrance occurs on the eastern side. A field boundary traverses the interior of the monument, which is otherwise featureless. The size and proportions of this site suggest that it may be a ringwork dating from the medieval period' (Condit and Coyne 2004).

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 07 August 2019

See attached ASI aerial photograph ASIAP - 348/18 taken 05/01/2003; 303/26 and 303/27 taken 13/09/2002.

References

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

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.

Condit, T. and Coyne, F. 2004 Knockainy Hill - a ceremonial landscape in County Limerick. Archaeology Ireland. Heritage Guide No. 27.