Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, located on a gentle, NE-facing elevation.
Named ‘Lisnahoowa’ on the 1838 and 1916 OS 6-inch maps, this rath consists of a circular platform (31.4m N-S; 31m E–W) defined by a substantial earthen bank with an external fosse.
The bank (Wth c. 5.5m; int. H 0.45m; ext. H 1m. at NE) is very low internally, degraded almost to a scarp in parts. The outer edge of the bank at SW–NW has a narrow raised rim (Wth 1.5m; H 0.3m) which stands proud of the rest of the bank top; this appears to be a relatively recent modification resulting from incorporation of the W half of the rath into a field boundary. The fosse is largely infilled, visible only as a slight depression (Wth 2.5m) most clearly seen at NW–N and SE–S.

The interior has a slight slope down from centre to E. Several narrow breaks in the bank have been eroded by farm stock, including one (Wth 1.6m) at NW with a rough causeway (probably modern) over the fosse. A large gap (Wth 6m) at E may be the site of the original entrance.

The perimeter is thickly ringed with blackthorn, hawthorn and hazel trees, with some encroachment on the interior. Clumps of brambles also occur in the interior. At time of visit, the bank was largely denuded of sod and was broken down in several places by cattle. Field fences which abutted the rath at N and S have been removed.
It is overlooked by a rath (MA102-007----), now levelled, located on rising ground 120m to SW, and there is a possible rath (MA102-009----) 125m to SSE.

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 23 September 2022