Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In undulating pasture, on low ridge, overlooking the confluence of the Busna and Black Rivers, which lies 160m to SE. Ground falls away gently to W and S. Good views. There is a farmstead immediately to SE.
Raised circular area (30.4m N-S; 32.5m E-W) defined by bank (Wth. 5.3m; int. H 0.5m; ext. H 1.25m to E) and elsewhere by a substantial scarp (H 1.9m to W) elsewhere. A low stone kerb is evident on the inner face of the bank at N−E. On 1922 OS 6-inch map, a field fence is shown encircling the site. This was removed during land reclamation, except for a section at SSW−NNW. The intervening gap between the surviving arc of field fence (Wth 1.5m; H 0.6-1.1m) and the rath bank varies (5.7m to SSW; 4m to NW), but it may preserve the line of an infilled fosse. The rath interior is highest W-NW, sloping gently from there towards the entrance gap to E. The entrance survives as a broad slumped area (Wth 4.5m) faced on N side with two large stones. There is a local tradition of a souterrain (MA031-051001-) in the interior. There is a concentration of nettles and thistles in the highest part of the interior to NW; sycamore and hawthorn ring the bank.

Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 19 June 2018