Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, in a thicket of overgrowth, on the western outskirts of Swinford town, located on a low knoll. There is a stream 170m to N. There are good views W–N over undulating grassland, with a tract of forested land c. 250m to W. In the field to N of the rath, immediately at the base of the rath scarp, there are stables and an equestrian yard. A row of bungalows borders the E side of the field, c. 10-15m to E of the rath.
Raised, broadly oval area (c. 33m NE–SW; c. 29m NW–SE) defined by a scarp (H 1.8m at SSE). At W–NE the scarp is substantially enhanced by the knoll slope which falls for several meters. On the E half the scarp is lower (H 1.4m) and poorly defined, with a rough and stony slope. At SE–S there is a shallow depression (Wth 1.2-2m; D c. 0.4m) just inside the rim at top of the scarp. In parts at S−SW the scarp is topped with a rough spread of stones. At N–NE the scarp has been incorporated into a later field fence that respects the curve of the rath.
A hollow (Wth 3m; D 0.5m) extends from the scarp at NNW into the interior to SSE for c. 5m where it expands into a poorly defined, shallow depression (max. dim. 4–5m) the rising slope of the interior.
Dense of blackthorn and hazel made inspection difficult. There is another rath (MA062-046----) located 70m to SSW.

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 25 November 2020