Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, located on top of a ridge, at the break of slope on the N side. There are extensive views over a broad expanse of lowlands stretching NW−NE, and less extensive views to W. To S views are restricted by the rising slope to the ridge summit.
Raised circular area or platform (38.8m N−S; 38m E−W) defined by a bank (Wth 4m; int. H 0.5m; ext. H 1.5m) at NE−SE and elsewhere by a scarp (ext. H 2m at N, 1.2m at S; Wth slope 3m at N, 1.7m at S). A hint of a depression (Wth c. 3m) at the foot of the bank at E may indicate a fosse, but cannot be traced elsewhere around the circuit.
The centre and W half of the interior are level and at a higher level that the E half. There is a slight slope down from centre towards a somewhat dilapidated entrance gap (Wth 2.5m) at NE. A low ramp-like slope extends outwards from the entrance gap.
A possible house (MA071-053003-), in the form of a low rectangular platform (6m NE−SW; 6.6m NW−SE) defined by sod-covered stony scarp (H 0.4m), is located in the centre of the interior. A low E-facing scarp (H 0.4m), with occasional stones protruding from it, extends from the E corner of the possible house to the rath scarp at SE, creating a subdivision in the rath interior, defining slightly lower ground level in the SE quadrant.
Adjacent to the SW end of the possible house, there is a souterrain (MA071-053002-), marked as ‘Cave’ on the 1838 and 1931 OS 6-inch maps. It is evident as length of collapsed delintelled passage (L 2m NW−SE; Wth 0.8-1m; D c. 0.6m), with lintelled openings at either end leading into an intact passage. A shallow, irregular-shaped depression (2m NE−SW; 1m NW−SE; D 0.3m) abrades the S corner of the rectangular platform/possible house. This may also be part of the souterrain.
The rath is ringed with hawthorn trees. Four field fences abut the rath on the N arc. There is an area of disturbance/small scale quarrying of the slope immediately outside the rath at NW−N. A farm track skirts the rath at S−SW.
Two raths (MA071-051----; MA071-058----) are located 190m to W and 120m to SE, respectively, and a dispersed cluster of raths is spread through the surrounding hinterland within a radius of 500-600m

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 30 July 2021