Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, on the W edge of Charlestown, located on a prominent rise, with a steeply sloping sides at NNW−E, overlooking a flat expanse of damp pasture.
Indicated on the 1838 OS 6-inch map as a circular embanked enclosure, and on the 1920 OS 6-inch map as subcircular hachured enclosure (diam. c. 30m), with an arc of external fosse at N, truncated on the E side by a N−S field boundary, and another field boundary traverses the W part of the interior on a NW−SE axis.
This possible rath has been levelled. The outline of the enclosure can still be traced at NW−S at ground level as an area of rough ground and differential vegetation growth, defined by the natural fall of ground. A NW/SE field fence/property boundary cuts across the SW edge. To SW of this fence, the original enclosing bank (Wth c. 3.5m; int.H 0.1m; ext. H 1m) survives as a scarp, with a slightly raised internal rim, which can be traced in a shallow arc S−W; it is covered in gorse, brambles and ferns.

Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 6 July 2020