Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, in the NE corner of a modern rectangular field, located on the E side of a low rise in undulating terrain.
Slightly raised, broadly oval area (35.5m E–W; 40.4m N–S) defined by a bank. The bank (Wth 4.2m at SE, 4.6m at NW; int. H 0.6m at SE, 1.2m at NW; ext. H 1.5m at SE, 1.55m at NW) has an earthen scarp on its external face, but the body of the bank appears to be composed of earth and stones. There is a gap (Wth 2m) in the bank at E, which may be original entrance. Stones are visible protruding from the N terminal, but it is unclear if these represent an original stone facing.
Immediately inside the bank, mirroring its circuit, there is a contiguous, partly sod-covered stone bank (Wth 3-4m; H 0.5m). It consists of heaps of loose stone pushed against the inner face of the earthen rath bank. This is an unusual feature, of uncertain significance –it seems likely to be the result of field clearance activity in the relatively recent past.
The interior has an uneven surface, and slight linear N–S undulations are discernible, possibly the remnants of cultivation ridges. In the centre, there are three heaps (max. dim. c. 6m; H 0.6m) of loose stones.
There is a mound (MA038-149---) 40m to N, and an enclosure (MA038-087----) c. 160m to NW.

Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 1 August 2019