Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, located on a small knoll, with good views in all directions.
Substantially raised oval area (26.4m N–S; 29m E–W) defined by a steeply sloping earthen scarp (Wth slope 6.4m at N, 3-4m at S; H 4m at N, 2.65m at S), with stones protrude from the top of the scarp in places, particularly at E–SE. The rath utilises the entire top of the knoll, and the enclosing scarp merges seamlessly with the knoll slope.
A bank (Wth 1.8; int. H 0.45m; ext. H 0.75m) of earth and stone, with trees growing on it, curves around the base of the knoll at WNW–N. This is a remnant of a bank that is shown completely encircling the rath on the 1929 OS 6-inch map; it is not clear if it is an original external enclosing bank or a field bank of more recent date.
The NW quadrant of the interior appears slightly higher than the rest of the space. There is a shallow, sub-rectangular depression (4m NE–SW; 3m NW–SE; D 0.2m) at the WSW; this might be surface subsidence indicating the presence of a souterrain, but there is insufficient evidence to confirm this. The entrance gap (Wth c. 2m) is at the E, where there is a ramp-like access slope.
An area of the external slope at SE, adjacent to the entrance, has been partly dug away, and other areas of disturbance or minor quarrying can be seen on the knoll slope at S. The rath interior is grassy, and the perimeter slopes are thickly ringed with trees.

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 2 May 2019