Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In improved pasture, located on the undulating top of a ridge, just below the summit which overlooks the site to E. Ground falls steeply at S and W into a small valley of wettish pasture, with a stream which skirts the base of the ridge slope.
Slightly raised circular area (27.8 m N−S; 30.3m E−W) defined by a scarp (H 1.6m at E, 2m at W) which retains a slightly raised internal rim in parts.
The scarp is incorporated into a stone field fence at SW−N, and the external slope (H 2m) on the SW arc is faced with stone to a height of 1m. A gap (Wth 3.4m) at ENE may be an original entrance.
The interior is fairly level. A possible house (MA071-066001-), evident as a slightly raised subrectangular area (6.4m N−S; 12.5m ENE−WSW) defined by a low stony rise/wall footings, occupies much of the centre and W half of the interior space. A low oval stony rise (7m E−W; 2.8m N−S), possibly a field clearance cairn, abuts its SE side.
A barely discernible, narrow depression (Wth 2) extends in straight line from the S side of the possible house to the rath scarp at S. Two low slabs or large stones protrude at an angle from the ground surface in the SW quadrant close to the rath scarp.
The rath is ringed with hawthorn and blackthorn trees, which also encroach on the interior. The interior surface is rather dilapidated and strewn with stones. A field wall skirts the rath at NE−S. There is another rath (MA071-067----) 175m to NE.

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 6 August 2021