Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, in sharply undulating landscape of ridges, folds and valleys. Utilises a natural spur on the NW-facing slope of a NNE−SSW ridge. Ground falls away steeply to NW into a narrow gully which opens to S−SE into the broad wet valley of the Gweestion River. Views are also good to N−NE along a flat, wet stream valley. The rath is overlooked by another rath (MA071-136----) which is located 40m upslope to SE on the summit of the ridge. Two other raths (MA071-134----; MA071-137----) are located 230m to NW and 250m to SE, respectively.
Raised oval area or platform (27.4m ENE−WSW; 32.8m NNW−SSE) defined by a scarp. The scarp (H 3.7m at W) is cut into and enhanced by the steep ridge slope at S−NNE; here a narrow terrace/gap (Wth 1.4-2m) intervenes between the base of the scarp and the ridge slope –now used as a path by cattle. At NE−SSE the scarp (H c. 1.3m) is topped by an earth and stone field fence (Wth c. 1.4m; H 0.85m).
The entrance may have been at ESE, where there is a slump/low area (Wth c. 2m) in the scarp, now blocked by the field fence.
There is a slight slope in the interior from centre down to W and SW. A roughly square earth and stone rise/platform (c. 11m N−S; c. 10m E−W) occupies much of the space in the N half of the interior. It is defined on the SW, W and N sides by a low scarp, highest (H 0.85m) at W where it straddles the slight fall in ground level. It is not clearly defined at E and SE, where it merges almost imperceptibly with interior ground level. Blackthorn scrub engulfs the N and NE sides of this feature making it difficult to examine.
Blackthorn and gorse bushes grow on the rath perimeter and blackthorn scrub has encroached on the NE quadrant of the interior.

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 10 September 2021