Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, located on the top of a ridge, at the break of slope on the S side. Ground rises gently to NW. There are very good views to N−SE over the surrounding undulating landscape and to S−SW over a broad valley of reclaimed damp pasture, with a stream 260m to W, beyond which there is another ridge.
Raised circular area (33m N−S; 34.5m E−W) defined by an earthen bank (Wth 3.6m at S, 3.8m at N; int. H 0.65m at S, 0.6m at N; ext. H 2.1m at S, 1.5m at N). At W−N the bank is reduced to a scarp, retaining only a slight internal lip. The external height is lowest on the E arc (H 0.75m). The bank incorporates stones and boulders in parts along its inner face, and several large stones and boulders, probably field clearance stones, lie loosely against the inner slope of the bank at SE−S.
Immediately outside the bank at S−W there is a slight depression (Wth 2.8m) with a hint of a rise (Wth 3m) on its outer edge, possibly indicating an infilled fosse and levelled outer bank.
The rath appears to be built up higher on the SW arc, compensating for the natural fall of ground on this side.
There is a slight rise in interior ground level at centre and W of centre. A small crescent-shaped stony mound (L 2m NW−SE; H 0.2m) is located SW of centre, possibly a field clearance heap. A low area (Wth 3.3m) in the bank at ESE is the most likely location for an original entrance, but it is not well defined. There are several narrow breaks, eroded by farm stock, around the bank circuit.
Grass cover, with a few hawthorn trees on the bank. An old farm track lies c. 10-15m N of the rath, leading to a derelict vernacular farmstead at NE. There is a rath (MA071-049----) 260m to ENE.

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 22 July 2021