Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, prominently sited on a rise, providing good views of the surrounding undulating terrain. A steep fall of ground on the W side drops to an expanse of boggy ground, now planted with forestry. Lough Corrower is 190m to SW.
Raised circular area (26m N−S; 27m E−W) defined by an earthen bank. The bank (Wth 4.2m; int. H 0.85m; ext. H 0.55m at E) is best preserved on the E arc, where its well defined internal slope with rough stone facing in parts. At N and S it retains only a low internal rim, and on the W arc it is largely reduced to a scarp, which merges with the steep natural fall of ground. Much loose stone, evident along the top of the bank, may be the result of field clearance activity.
A roughly stone-lined gap (Wth 2.4m at inner edge, 1.4m at ext.) in the bank at NE may be the original entrance. On its outer edge the gap is now blocked by a rough bank of earth and stones, roughly faced with stones, and the whole is engulfed in overgrowth.
The interior is split level: a scarp (H 0.55m) extends across the interior, on a slightly curving NW−S axis, slightly to E of centre. The scarp is now low and dilapidated, but it appears to have been faced with stones. The interior ground level is higher to W and S of this scarp, and this is where a souterrain (MA040-004002-) is located.
The rath is engulfed in a thicket of blackthorn. There is much stone strewn over the interior surface, especially in the E half.

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 20 April 2020