Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Ringfort - rath
Ballindoo Or Doocastle, County Mayo, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- Ballindoo Or Doocastle
- County
- Mayo
- Country
- Ireland
- First-edition OS map
- Indicated
- Coordinates
- 54.02811, -8.66249
- SMR number
- MA052-001----
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
Shown on 4 historical map sheets, the earliest the 1790 "Composite: Ireland." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
This record in the National Monuments Service's Historic Environment Viewer ↗
The National Monuments Service's description
In pasture, located on a slight rise. Views are best to S and W; generally not extensive, restricted now by high field fences/hedgerows.
Slightly raised circular area (34m N−S; 34.5m E−W) enclosed by an earthen bank (Wth 3.65m at E, 2.6m at W; int. H 0.65m at E, 0.45m at W; ext. H 1.4m at E, 1.2m at W). Stones protruding on the inner face may be remnants of stone facing or a kerb. The profile of the bank is broad and low; a section at NE is narrower (Wth 1.7m) with a pointed top, and incorporates much stone, suggesting recent modification –a low berm (Wth c. 1m) on its outer edge probably indicates the original width of the bank here.
Outside the bank at SW−W there is a slight, indistinct depression (Wth 1-2m). It might be evidence of a fosse, but could also be the result of recent disturbance; it cannot be traced elsewhere around the circuit.
There are narrow, eroded breaks in the bank at NNE and SSW; a gap (Wth 1.4m) at SE might mark an original entrance.
A field fence has been built against the external face of the bank on the S arc, and the bank is topped with post and wire fencing at W. Another field fence abuts the rath at N. Interior is level and grassy, with clumps of gorse in the NW quadrant, and moderate hawthorn and gorse around the perimeter. A roughly circular pit (diam. 4m) has been dug in recent times immediately to NW of the rath.
Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy
Date of upload: 26 June 2020
Nearby in the register
- Megalithic tomb - unclassifiedunder 1 mi
- Enclosureunder 1 mi
- Ringfort - rathunder 1 mi
- Burial groundunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.