Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In improved pasture, located in gently undulating terrain. Ground rises gradually to NNE, and falls to SW overlooking a small stream valley. Cloonturnaun Lough is c. 350m to WNW.
Raised circular area (37.5m N–S; 38m E–W) defined NW–E by an earthen bank (Wth 2.4m; int. H 0.3m; ext. H 1.5m, at N), reduced elsewhere to a scarp (H 2.1m at S), and enclosed on the S half by a fosse (Wth 3.9m) with an external bank (Wth 3.6, int. H 0.55m; ext. H 1.7m, at SE).
At E the inner bank is incorporated onto a later N−S field fence. A field fence, which intersected with the inner bank at N–NE has been removed, as have fences which abutted the rath at S and SW. At SW the fosse take the form of a terrace, probably an adaptation to the natural fall of ground here. Remnants of external stone facing, probably a late modification, can be seen on the external bank. The entrance may have been to E where the enclosing scarp is lowest.
The interior appears to be higher in the W half, and there is a slight slope down from centre to SE–S. A portion (max. dim. c. 10m) of the SW quadrant has been quarried out.
A dense band of blackthorn and gorse obscures the S and E sectors of the rath and there are dumps of field clearance boulders and debris around the perimeter at S.
Four other raths (MA092-045----; MA092-046----; MA092-050----; MA092-051----) are located c. 450m to SW, c. 300m to SSW, c. 200m to SE and c. 550m to SE, respectively; all are visible from this rath.

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 11 March 2022