Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, straddling an E-facing slope, which drops into a flat valley of damp ground. The rath is located at the E end of a narrow rectangular field, and extends almost the full N−W width of the field.
Oval area (50.5m E−W; 61.5m) defined by an earthen bank. The bank has been partly levelled; it is evident now at SW−NW as broad rise with slight internal lip (Wth c. 4m; int. H 0.1m; ext. H 0.8m), on the N arc a broad low rise (Wth c. 4m; int. H 0.4m; ext. H 0.45m) and at NE−SE as a scarp (Wth slope c. 5m; ext. H 1.4m) cut into the ridge slope. The S arc is poorly defined. There is a fosse (Wth 2m; ext. D 0.4m) immediately outside the bank at SW−W. This cannot be traced elsewhere around the circuit. A relict field bank, barely discernible now at ground level, extends from the N terminal of the fosse across the field to W. It is unclear if the fosse is a contemporary with the rath or if it relates to later cultivation activities.
The rath interior slopes markedly from centre down to the perimeter at E, mirroring the natural fall of ground. Remnants of cultivation ridges traverse the enclosure on an E-W axis and are also visible in the surrounding field; these clearly post-date the enclosure. A drystone field wall/property boundary crosses the S edge of the enclosure.

Notified to NMS by Jean-Charles Caillère

Attached images:
MA110-089----_01.JPG Viewed from NW
MA110-089----_02.JPG Viewed from SW
MA110-089----_03. JPG Bank with external fosse at SW
MA110-089----_04.JPG Viewed from E, showing steeply sloping interior

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 19 March 2021