Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, on a ridge. There are extensive views, except at N−NE where an undulation on the ridge restricts views. It overlooks a N−S esker c. 150m to SW. The boundary between Tullaghaun and Ballybeg townlands crosses the rath on a NNE−SSW axis.
Slightly raised circular area (37m E−W; 36.5m N−S) defined by an earth and stone bank. Large stones protrude from the top of the external slope of the bank. Short sections of the bank at NNE and S are incorporated into later field walls. The townland boundary/wall crosses the interior centrally and a perpendicular field wall extends E from it across the SE quadrant.
A subcircular raised area (diam. 13-14m) straddles the centre and N half of the level interior. It is well defined on the W−N by a scarp (H 0.9m) and elsewhere by a low undulation/rise. In the highest part of the raised area at NW (on the W side of the townland boundary) there is a depression (Wth 1.5-3m; D 0.7m) which curves from SW to NE where it terminates against the townland wall. This may be the remains of a souterrain (MA103-09002-). Another roughly circular shallow depression (5m E−W; 2.6m N−S) abuts the inner edge of the rath bank in the NE quadrant of the interior.

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 27 October 2022