Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, encompassing the top of a knoll in undulating terrain, with good views. It is located in the NW end of Rathowen East townland, close to the boundary junction with two other townlands, Rathowen West and Rathcash.
This rath is named as ‘Rathmeelaghmore’ on the 1838 and 1929 OS 6-inch maps. It consists of a raised circular area (c. 26.8m NW–SE), defined by an earthen bank, largely reduced to a scarp (Wth slope 3m; ext. H 1.9m, at N), and enclosed at SW–ENE by a fosse (Wth 3.4m) with an external bank (Wth 4.3m; int. H 0.4m; ext. H 1.1m, at N). The inner bank retains only a hint of an internal rim; at E a row of low, contiguous stones protrudes along the inner edge, possibly the remnants of an kerb. The fosse and external bank are well defined at N, but elsewhere, are reduced to a terrace with a low rise or scarp on its outer edge; they cannot be traced at E–S.
The knoll is utilised to enhance the height of the rath, with the interior being c. 4-5m above surrounding field level; the steepest slopes are at S and W. The entrance was most likely at the E where the rath appears lowest relative to exterior ground level. There is a low section of scarp (Wth c. 5.5m) here, but no clearly defined entrance feature.
The interior is largely engulfed in overgrowth (brambles, hawthorn, blackthorn), making examination difficult, and the perimeter is densely ringed with hawthorn.

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 23 April 2019