Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, utilising the contours of a prominent rise overlooking a bend in the River Robe. There are excellent views over along the river valley, especially to SW and W. The Partry Mountains define the far horizon to W-NW, with the summit of Croagh Patrick visible to NW.
Slightly raised subcircular area (40.8m N−S; 46.3m E−W) defined by an earthen bank, outside which is enclosed by a fosse with traces of a counterscarp/external bank.
The inner bank (Wth 3.2m at N and E, 2.3m at W; int. H 0.3-0.45m; ext. H 1.25m at N, 1.5m at S, 0.9-1m at E and W) has a low internal lip with a flattish top, and a low, but well defined external slope. It is reduced to a scarp at WNW−NNW and for a short section at S. The fosse (Wth 2m) is shallow and flat-based. It is bordered on its outer edge at NE−WSW by a low earth and stone rise (Wth 2.2m at S, 3.2m at W; int. H 0.2m at S, 0.8m at W; ext. H 0.3m at S, 0.6m at W), possibly the remnants of an external bank or counterscarp.
There are several narrow gaps/low areas in the bank; the largest gap (Wth 2m) is at NE. The interior slopes down very gently from centre to NW. To S-SW of centre there is a slight, amorphous rise.
There is no visible trace of a souterrain (MA111-002001-) and a children’s burial ground (MA111-002002-), which according to local tradition are located in the rath interior.
The subcircular plan and the slight internal slope are largely dictated by the natural contours of the rise; the interior appears raised above exterior ground level only on the N arc where exterior ground level naturally dips.
Grassy interior, with a concentration of thistles in the S half; bank lightly ringed with hawthorn and gorse bushes. A N−S field fence, merges with the counterscarp at E, but has been removed where it extended beyond the rath

Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 1 December 2022