Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In rough, heather-grown pasture, located close to the S boundary of the townland, straddling the SSE end of a narrow, prominent rise or small ridge on a roughly E−W axis. The location provides very good view, along the course of a stream, which is 90m to SW, and SW−N over a broad expanse of lowlying damp land.
Raised subcircular area or platform (25m N−S; 27-29m E−W) defined by a remnants of a bank (Wth 4m; int. H 0.2-0.5m; ext. H 1.5m at W) with a low internal lip on the W arc, which is reduced elsewhere around the circuit to a scarp (H c. 1.2m). Stones protrude from the top edge of the scarp at S, possibly the remains of a stone kerb. The scarp is poorly defined at N−E where has been partly dug away, and at E where it is crossed by a later field wall on a N−S axis.
A fosse (Wth c. 2m; D 0.6-0.7m) is evident outside the scarp S−W, but cannot be traced elsewhere. A slight rise (Wth c. 2m) on the outer edge of the fosse at S may be the remains of a counterscarp or external bank.
The rath platform has a distinctly domed N−S profile, reflecting the natural contours of the ridge: the centre of the interior forms a narrow level central spine, with steeply sloping sides falling to N and S; the drop in height is steepest on the S half, being c. 2m.
There is no clearly defined entrance, but it may have been on the E side where the natural slope is more gradual.

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 16 February 2021