Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, located on a low ridge, with good views over the surrounding undulating terrain, especially to N over an expanse of lowlying damp pasture. There is a stream 170m to NW and Lough Conn which is located c. 800m to W.
Raised circular area (52m E–W; 51.5m N–S) defined by a substantial earthen bank (Wth 5m at N, 5.2m at S; int. H 0.2m at N, 0.9m at S; ext. H 3m at N, 2m at S), and enclosed by an external fosse (Wth 2m, D 0.3m) which can be traced at S–NE. A gap in the bank at SE, may be an original entrance. Two large boulders flank either side of the outer edge of the gap, and a third boulder partly blocks the middle of the gap. There are also low sections/eroded gaps in the bank at NE, SSE and W. At NE–SE the bank has been incorporated into the line of a later N–S field fence. The fosse is evident as a very shallow, relatively narrow depression, most clearly defined on the W arc. It is barely discernible at NE, and not visible at E–SE. An E-W field fence, shown on 1930 OS 6-inch map on the outer edge of the fosse at S, has been removed.
The interior is level. In the N half, there is a roughly oval area (5.5m E–W; 6-7m N–S) defined by a rough ‘wall’ of stones and boulders, which may be the remains of a house (MA039-042001-).
The rath perimeter is densely ringed by hazel, hawthorn trees and holly, which have also spread into the interior. There is a dense ground cover of bluebells in the interior, and a thicket of brambles in the S half.
There is another rath (MA039-041) 90m to SW.

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 4 February 2020