Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In average pasture, utilising a knoll, which provides good views of the surrounding undulating terrain.
This rath is not named on the OS 6-inch maps, but is known locally as ‘Rathkell’. It consists of a raised circular area (28m N–S; 29m E–W) defined by a substantial earthen bank, which is enhanced by the slope of the knoll, and is enclosed at the base of that slope by a fosse and external bank.
The inner bank (Wth 8.5m; int. H 1.7m; ext. H 4.25m at S) has remnants of stone facing in parts. The external slope, is several meters high at N and S where it merges with the natural slope of the knoll. It is lowest at E where it cuts across a natural level terrace on the knoll top. The fosse (Wth 3.6m at S, 3m at N) and external bank (Wth 2.5-3m; int. H 1.4m; ext. H 0.4-0.8m at S) are well defined, except at N where the external bank has been reduced in size, and faced with stones as a result of incorporation into a later field fence, and at E where a later linear N–S field fence truncates the outer bank and overlies the fosse. At S–SE the external bank is evident as a low rise of earth and stone, and here it appears relatively insubstantial in comparison to it appearance at W where it is scarped into the natural knoll slope and is significantly broader (Wth c. 6m). A section of the outer slope of external bank has been quarried into at SW.
The original entrance was at E, opening onto the more gradually sloping side of the knoll; it consists now of a poorly defined gap (Wth c. 2m) in the inner bank.
The rath interior is level. In the NW quadrant, adjacent to the bank, there is a sub-rectangular depression with a raised rim of earth and stone along the S side, and a very shallow linear hollow (Wth 1.6m) extends from close to the rath bank at E for 4.5m to N into the interior.
The rath is engulfed in a dense thicket of hazel and blackthorn. There is an enclosure (MA038-110----) c. 200m to SW.

Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 9 August 2019