Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, located on a low rise, with extensive views over rolling grassland. The W arc of the rath coincides with the townland boundary.
Roughly circular, raised area (38m N–S; 36m E–W) defined by a scarp (H 1.7m at SSE; 1.5m at NNW), outside which it is enclosed by a fosse (Wth 3m) and at SE–S by remnants of an external bank (Wth 2.4m; int. H 0.7m; ext. H 0.6m).
The fosse is well defined SSE–N but elsewhere is evident only as a shallow depression. The external bank survives at SE as a low rise with stones protruding on the external slope, and it may be preserved at S–WNW in the field fence/townland boundary which respects the curve of the rath.
The central section of the rath interior has been quarried out. The quarry pit (c. 15m NW–SE; c. 20m NE–SW) extending almost the full E−W width of the interior, with an access gap (Wth 2m) cut through the rath scarp at NE where the fosse is infilled. The deepest part of the quarry pit is close to the rath scarp at W.
Linear features visible in the rath interior in an aerial photograph (GSI M 98 –9; Roll 213, 26) were interpreted by the SMR as a possible souterrain (MA092-060002-), however, it is more likely that these features relate to the quarrying activity.
Grass cover, with a few hawthorn bushes; the scarp is broken down by farm stock in parts; the townland boundary is engulfed in overgrowth/ hawthorn bushes. There is another rath (MA091-029----/MA092-059----) 200m to NNW.

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 10 May 2022