Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, located on a rise, with a more pronounced slope at W–NW. Overlooked at SW by a higher hill. Another rath (MA050-016----) is visible on a knoll 350m to SE.
Raised oval earthen platform (50.5m N–S; c. 37m E–W) defined by a substantial scarp (Wth slope 1.5m at SE, 3.8m at NW; ext. H 0.55m at SE, 2.1m at NW), which is markedly steeper on the W half. On the E half, the scarp is faced externally by a rough wall of jumbled stone, which appears to be of recent date.
Two roughly parallel ‘walls’ or linear heaps (Wth 1.4-1.7m; H 0.3m) of stone extend N–S for several meters through the interior. Both consist of low, rough jumbles of stone, without evident structure, and it is unclear if they are ruined walls representing internal divisions/structures, or merely the result of field clearance. The E ‘wall’ has an expanded terminal at N end, which curves slightly to E. The other W ‘wall’ appears to bifurcate at its N end, curving for a short distance both to E and W.
O'Hara (1991, 137, no. 39) recorded a souterrain (MA050-015002-) and a circular house (MA050-015003-) in the interior; no trace of either is now evident.
The perimeter is ringed with hawthorn and brambles; the interior largely grassy, but with clumps of hawthorn, ferns and irises. Heaps of field clearance debris are piled against the scarp in parts, especially on E half.

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 12 June 2020