Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, located on elevated ground on a gentle SE-facing slope, with good views, especially NE–S.
Circular area (53m WNW–ESE; 65.8m NNE–SSW) defined by an earthen bank (Wth 4.8m at NW, 3.6m at SE; int. H 1m at NW, 0.7m at SE; ext. H 1.9m at NW, 1m at SE), and enclosed at SW–N by a fosse (Wth 4m) with an external bank (Wth 2m; int. H 0.75m; ext. H 0.55m).
The inner bank is best preserved on the W half of its circuit, where it is quite substantial with a rather flattened top. It appears to be largely of earthen construction but incorporates stones and occasional boulders. At N–E it has been modified and incorporated into a field fence, which respects the curve of the enclosure; here it is narrower (Wth 2.4m) with a pointed top, giving it an almost triangular profile.
There are several breaks in the inner bank, but it is not possible to pinpoint the original entrance. The largest break (Wth 10.4m) is at E–ESE. There are also breaks at SSE (Wth 8m), at SSW (W 4m) and at N (Wth 7.4m).
The external bank respects the curve of the enclosure at W–NW, but at N diverges outwards to intersect with a later field fence which lies 6-7m N of the rath. This suggests that the external bank has been modified in the recent past or is a secondary feature.
The interior does not appear noticeably raised relative to exterior ground level and has a slight slope down to SE in the E half. There is a burial (MA119-047002-) in the SW quadrant, which is marked ‘Grave’ on the 1915 OS 6-inch map.
A large sub-rectangular quarry pit (c. 24m NE–SW; c. 15m NW–SE; D 1-1.4m) has destroyed much of the NW quadrant.

Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 10 August 2023