Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, on a prominent rise with a fall of ground to N and E. The Pollagh River is 360m to NW. There is a farmyard c. 20m to NW.
This rath encompasses the top of a rise or knoll. It consists of a raised subcircular area (25.7m NNW−SSE; c. 24m ENE−WSW) defined by an earthen scarp. The scarp is enhanced by the steep natural slope at N−SE; at N there is a broad ramp-like slope from the scarp to the base of the knoll, but at NE−SE the scarp (H 2m) drops to a berm or terrace (Wth c. 2m). The terrace is defined on its outer edge by a scarp which is cut quite vertically. At S−SW the scarp is low, with a broad, low internal lip (Wth 4.6m; int. H 0.2m; ext. H 0.5m at S) in parts. It has been partly quarried out at S−SSW. On the W arc the scarp (H 1.6m) also drops to a terrace (Wth 4.5m) defined on its outer edge by a scarp which drops to an old laneway which skirts the base of the knoll at SW−WNW.
In the W half of the interior, a grassed-over irregular-shaped hollow (max. dim. c. 4-5m; D 0.8-1.2m) with a few stones protruding from the sod, abuts the edge of the scarp. Immediately to S of this is a mound (2.5m NW−SE; 1.4m NE−SW; H 0.6m) of earth and stone. In the E half of the interior there is a shallow stony hollow (diam. c. 3m; D 0.3m).
A break (Wth 2.5m) in the scarp at SSE, facing a gradual slope, may mark an entrance. There are raths (MA080-012----; MA071-171001-; MA071-172----) 175m to SSE, 260m to NNW, and 355m to NE, respectively.

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 23 September 2021