Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, prominently sited on the top of steep-sided hillock, with an especially abrupt drop is abrupt at SW−W. The location commands excellent views in all directions over gently undulating, wettish grassland. It overlooks another rath (MA071-150----) located on a rise 130m to NNW. A stream/drain, with which the townland boundary coincides, skirts the hillock at S. There is a tract of forestry c. 80m to SW.
Raised oval area (32m NE−SW; 36.7m NW−SE) defined by a substantial scarp (H 2.8m at NE which retains a slight internal lip (int. H 0.3m). The height of the scarp is enhanced by the steep slope of the hillock. There is a shallow depression (Wth 1.6-2.6m; D 0.4m) immediately outside the scarp at WSW−N, which may be the remnant of a fosse or related to the incorporation of the rath into a system of field fences in the modern era.
The interior is slightly higher in the NW quadrant. There is no clearly defined entrance –a low area in the scarp to NW (W1.4m) is used by cattle to access the interior.
The interior is grassy; the perimeter on the S arc is densely covered in gorse.

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 13 September 2021