Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In good pasture, located on an elevation in gently undulating terrain, with excellent views in all directions.
This well preserved trivallate rath consists of a high circular platform (31m N–S; 27.6m E–W) defined by a substantial earthen bank, enclosed by a fosse with external bank, outside which is a second fosse with an external bank.
The innermost bank (Wth 5.5m at N and S; int. H 1.3m at N and S; ext. H 2.5m at N, 3m at S) has a relatively broad and flat top. The internal slope has remnants of stone facing in the form of large, blocky stones protruding from the sod. Stones also protrude from the high external slope but appear more random; some may even be rock outcrop.
The second/middle bank (Wth 3m at N and S; int. H 0.7m at N, 0.45m at S; ext. H 0.7m at N, 0.5m at S) is well defined for the W half of its circuit, but it is reduced at NNE−S to a flat, berm-like terrace. At SE–S this berm is almost flush with the level of the inner fosse, separated from it only by a narrow line of stones, possibly the remnants of a kerb.
The third/outermost bank (Wth 2.5 at N, 3.2m at S; int. H 1.2m; ext. H 1.4-1.6m) is steep-sided, with stones protruding randomly in parts around its circuit. It served as a field boundary and several field walls radiate from it to NW, NE, E and SW. It is possible that this outermost bank is not a primary feature. A section (L 6m) of it has been rebuilt with stone walling at SE.
The rath entrance consists of a gap (Wth 2.9m) in the inner bank at ESE, with a large slab on the N inner face. It opens onto a slightly sunken passageway flanked by a low earth and stone bank leading across the innermost fosse to a corresponding gap in the second/middle bank. There is a hint of a causeway across the second fosse but no corresponding break is evident in the outermost bank. The entrance faces a broad low rise outside the rath which may have provided a natural access ramp or approach to the site.
The rath interior is level and contains a souterrain (MA102-002002-), surface openings to which are evident in the SW quadrant and to W of centre as well as in the inner bank at WSW.
Interior grassy; hawthorn and gorse on the perimeter, particularly on the W half.
There is a rath (MA102-001----) 235m to N and an enclosure and a rath (MA102-052----; MA092-060001-) 270m and 363m to NW, respectively.

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 23 September 2022