Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, located at the break of slope on the W side of a N–S ridge, overlooking a broad, flat stream valley.
Raised roughly circular area (35m NNW–SSE; 31.7m ENE–WSW) defined by a bank (Wth 4.7m; int. H 0.4m; ext. H 2.2m) at NW, reduced elsewhere to a scarp (H 2.3m; W slope 2.5m). Outside the bank/scarp at W−N are remnants of a possible fosse and possible external bank. The fosse is evident as a terrace (Wth 3.7m) and is defined on its outer edge by an earth and stone bank (Wth 2.8–3.5m; int. H 0.4m; ext. H 1.6m). This bank serves as a field fence and is topped with a hawthorn hedgerow, and remains of a possible limekiln are incorporated into it at N; it respects the curve of the rath but extends beyond the rath in a straight line to NE.
The rath interior slopes down gently from centre to E–SE. The entrance may have been to SE where the scarp is lowest. There is a local tradition of a souterrain (MA071-117001-) in the W half of the interior. A property fence, on a WNW–ESE axis, crosses the S edge of the interior; to S of the fence, the SE arc of the scarp and part of the rath interior were quarried away during the construction of a slatted shed which stands immediately to SE.
The rath perimeter is ringed with hawthorn and blackthorn bushes; the interior is grassy.

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 25 August 2021