Ringfort - unclassified

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, located on the NW slope of a prominent rise, with very good views over the surrounding undulating grassland and bog.
Substantially raised circular area or platform (42m N−S; 42m N−S) defined by an earthen scarp (Wth slope 2.5m; 2.2m at N, 1.75m at E, c. 3m at NW) topped with remnants of a bank or wall. Traces of a fosse (Wth 3m) with an external earth and stone bank (c. 3m; ext. H c. 1m) are evident at NW, largely obscured by overgrowth.
A low internal stony lip (Wth 2-3m) tops the scarp at E−SE and SW−W, defined on its inner edge by drystone facing (H 0.5mat SE, 1m at SW). At N−NE a freestanding drystone wall (Wth 0.8m; H 0.8m) follows the curve of the scarp but is set 2m in from its top edge. There is drystone facing (H 1.5m) on the external slope of the scarp at S−SW. It is not clear to what extent the stone facing and drystone walling is original or results from the incorporation of the ringfort into a system of later field walls.
The platform scarp is lowest on the SE arc, and at SSE there is a broad, dilapidated gap (Wth 4m), with traces of stone facing on the SW side, which may be the site of an original entrance.
There is a souterrain (MA072-018002-) in the N half of the interior. A possible house (MA072-018004-), evident as a low circular platform, is located in the centre of the N half of the interior, a few meters SE of the souterrain. A ruined field wall (H 0.5m) crosses the interior, partitioning off the W half. Blackthorn, hawthorn and hazel trees thickly ring the ringfort perimeter, and encroach on the interior at NW and N. Dense thistles and weeds in the interior.

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 26 March 2021