Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, located on top of an E−W ridge, at the break of slope on the steep S-facing slope. There are excellent views over a basin of lowlying ground to SW. Views are more restricted to NE over undulating terrain. The rath is at the centre of a dispersed cluster of raths (MA071-045----; MA071-048----; MA071-049----; MA071-051----; MA071-052001-; MA071-053001-; MA071-111----), all located within 200-500m of each other.
Raised earthen platform (32m NNE−SSW) defined by a scarp (H 2.6m at S, 1.8m at N; Wth slope 4m at S, 2m at N) and enclosed by a fosse (Wth 3.8m at s, 3m at N) with an external bank (Wth 4.6m; int. H 0.8m; ext. H 1.4m at S). A field fence overlies the inner edge of the outer bank, mirroring its curve; this marks the townland boundary between Tullanacorra at S and Ballyglass at N.
A dilapidated ramp-like slope (Wth 2.8m) in the scarp at SE most likely represents an original entrance. It drops to a low rise or causeway across the fosse with a corresponding rough gap (Wth 1.6m) in the external bank.
The rath is thickly ringed by hazel and hawthorn trees. The E half of the interior is grassy, the W half covered in an impenetrable thicket of blackthorn and brambles. There is a quarry pit immediately outside the external bank at N.

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 22 July 2021