Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, located on a rise, with good views. There is a stream 140m to E.
This well preserved rath consists of a substantially raised circular platform (39.3m N−S; 33.6m E−W) defined by a scarp (H 2m at N, 2.8m at S), and enclosed by a fosse (3.9m at N, 3m at S) with an external bank (Wth 6.8m at N, 6.3m at S; int. H 1.65m at N, 1.5m at S; ext. H 1.55m at N, 1m at S). Remnants of stone facing (H 1.2m) can be seen on the scarp on the N arc; this appears to be the result of modification of the scarp to serve as a field boundary in the modern era.
The interior has a slight slope down from centre toward the E, where the entrance is located. The entrance features a broad, slumped section of scarp (Wth 4m) which drops to a causeway across the fosse, with a corresponding gap (Wth 3.5m) in the external bank. An E−W field fence cuts across the N side of the entrance.
A souterrain (MA071-063002-), indicated as ‘Cave’on the 1838 and 1931 OS 6-inch maps, is located in the NW quadrant: The NE wall of a collapsed stone-built chamber is visible, and . Four close-set prostrate slabs lie on the ground surface 6m to S, probably displaced roof lintel.
The rath perimeter is thickly ringed with hazel, hawthorn and blackthorn trees. The interior ground surface is rather uneven, with hummocks and hollows, and is moderately strewn with loose stones.

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 6 August 2021