Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

Located on a low rise, in an expanse of rough, wettish pasture, which has been partly reclaimed and drained. Overlooked c. 150m to the SE by higher ground on top of which another rath (MA030-013) is prominently sited. A stream/drain extend to E through the intervening low ground between the two raths.
Raised oval area (30m E–W; 25m N–S) defined by a scarp (Wth slope c. 4m; ext. H 1.6m) with a slightly raised internal rim, and enclosed by an external fosse (Wth 2-2.5m; ext. D 0.2-0.3m). The fosse is evident as a shallow depression, but a short section (L 5m; ext. D 0.6m) at SE is deeper and more clearly defined. At E there is a poorly defined low area or gap (Wth c. 2.5-3m) which may be the original entrance. It opens onto a slight rise in the fosse that may be the remnants of a causeway.
There is a rectangular raised area (c. 11m E–W; c. 10m N–S) in the E half of the interior, slightly off-centre to SE. At the E end of this is the ephemeral outline of a possible rectangular hut site (MA030-012001-). To E of this, the remnants of a field bank (Wth 0.6m; H 0.2m), on a N–S axis, extends across the E edge of the interior. Grass cover, with a few hawthorn trees on the perimeter at NW–N.

Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 12 April 2018