Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In average pasture, sited at the E end of a terrace, on a N-facing slope which falls to an expanse of wet boggy pasture. There are excellent views, blocked now to W by forestry plantation.
This large, oval embanked enclosure, most likely a rath, is shown on the 1838 OS 6-inch map; it is not shown on later map editions. It survives as a slightly raised area (65.5m E−W; 41m N−S), ovoid in plan, defined on the W half by a bank/scarp with a broad, low inner lip (Wth c. 4.5m; int. H 0.2m; ext. H 2.05m), outside which it is enclosed by a well defined fosse (Wth 2.8m at base), with an external bank (Wth 5.5m; int. H 1.3m; ext. H 1.5m) which is best preserved at W−N. On the E half, the enclosing elements have been levelled to low undulations. A slight rise is evident in the base of the fosse at S, possibly the remnant of a causeway.
The central part of the interior is raised, possibly encompassing a natural rise, with a slope down towards the perimeter. The slope is steepest and broadest at NE−E, with a drop in height from centre to perimeter of c. 2m. A field fence crosses the enclosure to W of centre. A small quarry pit cuts into a portion of the fosse and external bank at W, and the inner bank/scarp is disturbed at N. A field fence with contiguous field drain skirts around the NE side of the enclosure in a broad arc. A fulacht fia (MA103-076----) lies immediately N of this fence, c. 10m N of the rath.
The rath is grass cover, with the perimeter on W arc ringed with gorse. Another rath (MA103-032----) is located 230m to NE.

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 11 November 2022