Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In average pasture, located on a SE-facing slope with very good views to SE−SW over an expanse of lowlying coastal pasture, and over Killala Bay to E.
Indicated on the 1922 OS 6-inch map as a circular hachured area marked ‘Pound’, this rath consists of a slightly raised circular area (27.3m N-S; 28m E-W) defined by a stony earthen bank. At N the bank is almost flush with external ground level but has a pronounced internal scarp (H 0.8m). At S it survives as a pronounced external scarp (H 1. 45m) with a low internal lip (H 0.1m). This discrepancy results from the build up of the S half of the site to compensate for the natural slope. Elsewhere the bank has a uniform rounded, well-defined profile (Wth 2m; int. H 0.6m; ext. H 0.5m).
In the level interior there are two sod-covered field clearance heaps, one in W half (L 8.3m N-S; Wth 2.5m; H 0.6m) and one in the E half (L 5.5m N-S; W 2.2m; H 0.5m). A third low irregular-shaped heap (max. dim. 2m; H 0.2m) lies close to the bank at N. In S half of the interior is a shallow irregular-shaped depression (c. 4m N-S; 2m E-W; D 0.2m). A defunct field fence abuts the bank at N. A telegraph pole stands on the bank at NNW.

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 13 November 2018