Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, on a level expanse of elevated ground. Ground begins to fall away gently from about 20m S of the rath, providing good views. The field is bordered by a farmyard 80m to N, which restricts view in that direction.
Slightly raised broadly oval area (38.5m E−W; 42m N−S) defined by a well preserved, substantial earthen bank (Wth 5.8m at S, 5m at N; int. H 1m at S, 1.3m at N; ext. H 1.5m at S, 1.75m at N), with a somewhat broader, flattened top (Wth 1-1.5m) on the S arc. The bank appears originally to have had a width of perhaps 4.5m but slumping has increased it to between 5-6m. There is a random scatter of small and medium-sized stones along its top. A low, eroded portion (L 3m) of the bank at S exposes in section a basal core of large stones. An arc of hachuring shown outside the NW arc of the bank on the 1930 OS 6-inch map suggests an external fosse; a hint of a depression immediately outside the bank would seem to confirm this.
The interior is flat and is crossed roughly centrally on an ENE−W axis by the remnants of a wall, reduced now to a stony rise (Wth 1.5m; H 0.25m). There are several breaks/low areas, eroded by farm stock, in the bank. The largest gap (Wth 2.3m) at SE is flanked by lower sections of bank, and may indicate an original entrance. A hawthorn hedge engulfs the slopes of the bank, although the top is relatively free of overgrowth.

Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 20 December 2022