Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, located on low N−S ridge, with a stream at the base of the ridge slope at N−E. There are good views to E.
Raised circular area (38.3m E−W; 38.6m N−S) defined by an earthen bank and enclosed by a fosse and external bank. The inner bank (Wth 6.4m; int. H 1.5m at W; ext. H 2.8m at W, is well preserved for most of the circuit, with remnants of internal stone facing in parts, but at NE−E a section (L 11m) is reduced to a low scarp (H 0.5m). The fosse (Wth 4.4m at E, 5.3m at S) is broad and flat-based, and the external bank (Wth 5m at E, 4m at S; int. H 1.5m at E, 2m at S; ext. H 1.3-1.4m) is substantial.
The rath extends the full N−S width of the modern field, and the external bank at N and S has been incorporated into E−W field fences. Breaks (Wth 2m) in the external bank at SE and SW allow E−W passage via the fosse from one side of the field to the other; in this area the external face of the inner bank and the internal face of the external bank have been cut to the vertical.
The original entrance may have been at NE, where the inner bank is lowest, and where there is a gap (Wth 2m) in the external bank; and there is a hint of an intervening causeway across the fosse. There is also a gap (Wth 2m) in the inner bank at SW.
The interior is open and grassy; the perimeter is thickly ringed with hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel and brambles.

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 22 May 2020