Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, on elevated ground in an undulating landscape of gravel hills, with a small river c. 70m to W. There is a farmyard immediately to SE.
Roughly circular area (c. 33m NW–SE; c. 35m NE–SW) defined by an earthen scarp, with a break at ENE–ESE where the scarp has been levelled.
The scarp remains well-defined at SE–SW (H 0.9m) where it is incorporated into a field fence, and is enhanced by the natural fall of ground. At W–N the scarp appears to be terraced into the natural slope, giving the effect of a double scarp: an inner scarp (H 1.3m ; Wth slope 1.2m), then a berm or terrace (Wth 2.7m) defined on its outer edge by another scrap (H 1.8m; Wth slope 3.8m;) with a pronounced slope. The scarp peters out at N–NE, and has been removed at E.
The interior is bisected centrally by a property fence on a NW–SE axis. Roughly in the centre of the interior, there is a slightly raised D-shaped area or platform (9m NW–SE; 4m NE-SW; H 0.3-0.6m), defined on the straight side by the field fence. It is possible that this feature was originally circular and extended to SW beneath the fence, however, this could not be ascertained as the ground surface to SW of the fence has a disturbed appearance and is largely obscured by blackthorn scrub.
According to local tradition, there was a children’s burial ground (MA072-033002-) and a possible souterrain (MA072-033003-) in the interior.
A farm track, on a NW–SE axis, and sunk to a depth of 0.5m cuts across the W edge of the interior.
A rath (MA072-032----) is located 220m to SW.

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 30 March 2021