Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, straddling the top of a prominent knoll, with extensive views of the surrounding rolling grassland. Lough Conn is visible to E–SE, and Nephin Mountain and the Nephin Beg range define the horizon at SW–W.
This rath, named ‘Feaghmead Fort’ on the 1838 and 1922 OS 6-inch maps, consists of a raised oval area (30m E–W; 26.4m N–S) defined by an earthen bank (Wth 6-7m; int. H 0.3-0.5m; ext. H 1.6m at N, 2.8m at S). Overall the bank is substantial, with a broad external slump enhanced by the slope of the knoll, however, it is low and degraded on its internal face, reduced almost to a scarp at N, with stone protruding from the sod in parts. At the base of the external slope of the bank at S–W there is very shallow depression (Wth 1.4m); it is quite narrow and it is not clear if it represents an original enclosing fosse. There is an entrance gap (Wth c. 2m) in the bank at ENE, which is now dilapidated and partly blocked by large stones.
The rath is built up on the S half to compensate for the natural slope. In the interior there is a slight slope down from centre to N, and a somewhat more marked slope down from centre to SE. There is a rectangular depression (3.4m N–S; 5.4m E–W; D 0.45m), with stones protruding randomly in its base, located close to the bank in the S half of the interior.
On the 1922 OS 6-inch map the rath is shown at the junction of four field fences, all of which were removed during land reclamation.

Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 29 July 2019