Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture , located on a level terrace, from the N edge of which there is a gentle fall of ground to N-NW for 50m to the SE shore of Lough Carra. There are excellent views W-N across the lake, with Croagh Patrick and Nephin Mountains visible on the far horizon at NNW and N, respectively. A standing stone (MA110-088----) is visible on elevated ground c. 230m to SW. To SE-S, ground rises gently, restricting views. This partly levelled enclosure is shown on the 1838 OS 6-inch map but is not shown on the 1917 edition. Lavelle (1994, 52, no. 344) recorded that it is ‘Levelled; no visible surface traces. Possibly a ringfort.' However, an inspection in 2017 found that the outline of the enclosure, though very low-profile, can still be trace at ground level. It consists of a flat, roughly circular area (51m NE−SW; 47m NW−SE) defined by two banks with an intervening fosse. The inner bank is evident as a slight undulation or scarp (Wth c. 1.6m; ext. H 0.2m), the fosse can be traced as a shallow depression (Wth 1.6-2m), and the external bank as a low rise (Wth c. 2m; int. H 0.25m; ext. H 0.2m at W, 0.5-0.6m at NW-N). The original entrance may have been along the E−S arc, where the enclosing elements are not discernible. A drystone field wall (Wth 0.6m) overlies the external bank and the outer edge of the fosse at SE−S.

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Revised upload: 25 January 2017

References

Lavelle, D. 1994 An Archaeological Survey of Ballinrobe and District including Lough Mask and Lough Carra. Lough Mask and Lough Carra Tourist Development Association.