Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, located on the level top of a NW–SE ridge, close to the break of slope on the SW side. Level ground extends for c. 30m to NE of the rath then there is a steep fall of ground. There are with panoramic views, restricted at SE by rising ground.
Circular platform (37m E–W; 37.5m N–S) defined by a scarp (ext. H 0.4m at N, 0.7m at S), outside which it is enclosed by a fosse with an external earth and stone bank. A few stones protrude from the top edge of the scarp, possibly representing remnants of a kerb.
The fosse (Wth 4.5-4.8m) is well defined. The external bank (Wth 4.6m at S, 5m at N; int. H 1.5m at S, 1.8m at N; ext. H 1.6m at N and S) is topped at NNW–S by the sod-covered remnants of a drystone field fence, with stone tumble evident on the slopes.
The original entrance may have been at E where there are traces of a causeway across the fosse and a gap, now blocked up, in the external bank. There is also a low area in the scarp at S with a corresponding gap (Wth 1m) in the external bank, but this appears to be a relatively recent break, related to erosion by farm stock.
The interior has a slight slope down to E and S in the SE quadrant. In the NW quadrant there is a shallow irregular shaped grassed-over depression (L 8m E−W; Wth c. 2m; D 0.3m), expanding slightly at its E end.
The rath interior was used of as a children’s burial ground (MA081-012002-); a few small stone protruding from the ground in the S and W part of the interior may be gravemarkers.
The rath interior is grassy; the perimeter is lightly ringed with hawthorn trees.

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 8 December 2021