Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, in a thicket of hazel, hawthorn and blackthorn, located on a low rise, with good view of surrounding grassland.
Raised circular area (30.4m N–S; 30m E–W) defined by an earthen scarp (H 1.6m at N, 1m at S) with remnants of a low internal lip (Wth 2m; int. H 0.2m), topped in parts with stone. Outside the scarp is an encircling fosse (Wth 2-2.5m), on the outer edge of which is a stone bank (Wth 2m; int. H 0.7m; ext. H 0.5m). The external stone bank survives at NW–NE as a moss-covered stony rise, but elsewhere is incorporated into a later field wall, a section of which at SW–NW serves as a property boundary.
There is a square stone-built structure (3m NW–SE; 3.3m NE–SW), defined by a rough stone wall (Wth 0.8-1m; H 0.2m), on top of the enclosing scarp at SW. Its function is uncertain. At S a low section (Wth c. 4m) of the scarp opens onto a ‘passage’ (Wth 2.3m), flanked by on each side by a rough wall of loose stone rubble, which leads across the fosse to a break (Wth 2. 2m) in the external stone bank. This appears to be a relatively recent feature and may not be an original entrance. Immediately to W, is another entrance-like feature. It consists of a break (W 2.3m) in the scarp, roughly lined with stones, which opens onto a possible causeway (Wth 2. 2m) across the fosse. At its outer end it is blocked by stones and obscured by overgrowth and it is unclear if there is a corresponding break in the external stone bank.
The interior is stony underfoot. A possible circular house (MA072-019003-) is located slightly to E of centre. Two lines of stones, possibly ruined walls, radiate from the possible house to the enclosing scarp, one (Wth 1m) extending to NW and the other (Wth 0.6m) to the NE. According to local tradition, there is a souterrain (MA072-019002-) associated with the rath. A thicket of hazel trees covers the rath interior. There is a rath (MA072-020----) c. 200m to SE.

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 22 February 2021