Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, utilising a low rise with a fall of ground at W−S, overlooking the Gweestion River which is 60m to E. Views are good to N along the course of the river, which is bordered by an expanse of flat, damp lowlying pasture. Gently rising ground somewhat restricts views to S.
This rath is known locally as ‘Lisheen Kelly’. It consists of a circular platform (diam. 28m NNW−SSE) defined by a substantial bank/scarp and enclosed by a fosse with remnants of an external bank at SW.
The inner bank (Wth c. 3m at SSE, 3-4m at NNW; int. H 0.45m at SSE, 0.3m at NNW; ext. H 1.3m at SSW, 1.8m at NNW) is reduced to a scarp with a low internal lip; large stones are evident on the inner edge at NE, possibly remnants of a kerb or stone facing. There is a thin scatter of small stones along the top of the bank.
The fosse (Wth 3.5-4m) takes the form of a broad terrace (Wth 3.5-4m) at NNW−E, defined on its outer edge by a scarp (H 1.3m) which merges with the natural slope. A short length of earth and stone bank (Wth 3-4m; int. H 0.5m) on the outer edge of the fosse at SW appears to be a remnant of an outer bank. It is truncated at its N end by an area of quarrying (now engulfed in overgrowth) which also cuts across the fosse.
The interior is engulfed in blackthorn scrub, densest on the E half. The W half of the interior appears to be very slightly higher than the E half. A very ephemeral linear earthen rise (Wth 1m) extends on a NW−SE axis through the interior beneath the blackthorn bushes, possibly a field bank or a cultivation ridge.
The entrance seems most likely to have been on the E side, facing level ground; there is a narrow gap (Wth 1m) at ESE, roughly faced on the S side with stones.

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 10 September 2021