Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated just SE of the summit of a NW-SE ridge that is at the SE edge of a broad plateau, it is described as ‘Dunroe’ - the red fort on the OS 6-inch maps. This is a circular grass and rush-covered area (diam. 29m NNW-SSE; 28.5m E-W) that slopes down to the S (H 1.5m). It is defined by an earthen bank (Wth of base 7m; int. H 0.9-1.1m; ext. H 2.3m at S to 3.1m at N) with some bushes separated by a fosse (Wth of top 9.5-10.5m; Wth of base 2-3m; ext. D 1m at S to 2.6m at N) from an outer bank (Wth of base 4m at S to 8m at N; ext. H 0.8m at S to 2.2m at N). There is a second external fosse (Wth of top 10m; ext. D 0.9m at N) W-N. The original entrance through the inner (Wth of base 1.4m) and outer (Wth of base 2.3m) banks with evidence of stone-ling and a causeway (Wth of top 2,6m; H 0.4m) is at SE. The outer bank becomes a double bank around the entrance, and the inner bank is noticeably interned at this point.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Compiled by: Michael Moore

Date of revision: 31 August 2018