Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In rough pasture, located on a low rise bordered at SW by a flat expanse of wettish pasture.
Slightly raised circular area (26.8m N–S; 25.8m E–W) defined by a low earthen scarp. Outside the scarp there is ephemeral evidence that that the rath may be enclosed by at least one fosse and external bank: a band (Wth 4-4.5m) of dense rushes and irises, which appears slightly sunken (D 0.25m) on the SW arc, encircles the rath, probably indicating a fosse; outside this at S–W there is a band (Wth 3.5-4.8m) of flat, grassy ground, outside which are more rushes (Wth 4-5m) and then gently rising ground. It is possible that the flat grassy strip represents a levelled external bank, however, it cannot be traced around the full circuit of the enclosure.
The rath interior has a gently domed profile, with a slope down from the centre (height above ext. ground level 0.6m at S, 0.85m at N) towards the encircling scarp. The entrance may have been at S, where there is a poorly defined slump in the scarp and a corresponding rise (Wth 4-5m), possibly a causeway, traversing the band of rushes, and leading towards gently rising dry ground.
The rath is rather degraded, and is dotted with clumps of gorse and brambles. There is a field drain, on a NE–SW axis, a few meters to N of the rath.

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 2 May 2019