Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

Located at the highest point on an E-W ridge, providing extensive views over the surrounding landscape. The fall of ground is pronounced to S, but there is a more gradual slope to N. Forestry is planted in the immediate surrounds to S, W and N; there is pasture to E.
Broadly oval raised area or platform (28.4m NW-SE; c. 22m NE-SW) defined by a scarp. The rath spans the full width of the ridge top, so that the enclosing scarp at N and S merges with and is enhanced by the steep natural fall of ground. At E the scarp is slightly truncated by a roughly NW−SE field fence. Another field fence skirts the base of the scarp at NW−N, respecting its curve.
The SE quadrant of the interior is noticeably higher than the rest of the interior, with a gently slope down from there to W, and a more pronounced slope down to N. There is a low area (Wth 2.7m) in the scarp at WNW which may mark an entrance.
The interior is covered in rough grass, with clumps of gorse, heather, brambles and blackthorn; hawthorn and blackthorn ring the perimeter, especially dense at E where the field fence intersects the rath scarp.
Another rath (MA062-052001-) is located c. 140m to E, at the E edge of the same ridge. There are a church (MA-062-047001-) and graveyard (MA062-047002-) c. 145m to NW, and an enclosure (MA062-048) c. 60m to N.

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 30 November 2020