Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, located on a low rise with good views.
Slightly raised, oval area (32.6m N–S; 23m E–W) defined at W–N by a stony scarp (H 1.4m at NW) enhanced by a natural fall of ground, at NNE–ESE by a broad stony rise (Wth 3.7m; int. H 0.2m; ext. H 1.3m), possibly a collapsed wall, and at SE–S by a drystone field wall, which respects the curve of the rath. At S–SW the enclosing element has been levelled. The enclosing scarp is most substantial at NW, where it has been terraced and faced at the base of the slope by a later drystone field wall. There is a break (Wth 1.6m) in the stone bank/scarp at NE and a very low area at E.
This rath was greatly modified in the late 18th or early 19th century. A road/farm track (Wth 3m), flanked by drystone field walls, cuts through the centre of the rath on a N–S axis; this road is shown on the 1837 OS 6-inch map. An E−W drystone field wall extends to W through the W half of the rath interior; this is all that remains of a second trackway, also shown on the 1837 map, which branched off the N−S road.
In the NW quadrant of the rath interior, there is a grassed-over irregular-shaped depression (4.5m NE–SW; 4m NW–SE; D 0.5m), from which stones protrude; it is of uncertain significance, but appears to be the result of relatively recent disturbance.

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 26 January 2021