Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, located on a rise in gently undulating terrain, with good but not extensive views. It overlooks a small lake, Loughangormadeen 60m to N, and there is a large lake, Lough Bekan c. 250m to SE.
Slightly raised, broadly oval area (50.3m NW–SE; 45.9m) defined by a substantial earthen bank (Wth 5.7m at NE, 6.6m at SW, int. H 1.3m at NE, 1.1m at SW; ext. H 2.8m at NE, 3.6m at SW), outside which it is enclosed by a fosse (Wth 3.5m at NE, 3.3m at SW) with possible remnants of an external bank.
The bank is well preserved with stones protruding in parts along its inner face. The fosse is broad and flat-based. The outer edge of the fosse is marked at E–SE by a single line of prostrate stones; from SE–NW by an earth and stone field fence (Wth 1.5m; ext. H 1.2m), topped with a post and wire fence, with traces of stone facing on its vertical inner face; and at NNW–NE by a low narrow stony rise or cropmark. These features may preserve the line of an original external bank, as may a low rise (Wth c. 4m) rath at SW.
The interior is level, except for a slight rise to S. The entrance gap (Wth 3m) is at E, with a causeway (Wth 4.8m) across the fosse. There are narrow eroded gaps in the bank to NE and N; the break at N is faced with large stones on its slumped external face.
Interior is grassy; perimeter is thickly ringed with hawthorn and blackthorn.

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 20 May 2022