Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated on a hillock in the N foothills of the Slieve na Calliagh ridge. This is a circular, domed (H 1-2m) and grass-covered area (diam. 47.5m NE-SW; 45m NW-SE) defined by a grass-covered earthen bank (at SE: Wth of base 3.5m; int. H 0.3m; ext. H 2.8m) that can be distinguished from its fosse but is frequently reduced to a scarp (at NW: H 3.5m) NW-E-SE. This is separated by a fosse (Wth of top 4m; Wth of base 2-3m; ext. D 1.4-1.7m) from an outer earthen bank (Wth of base 6-9m; ext. H 1.2m at NW to 2.4m at SE). There is a stone-lined entrance through the inner (Wth of base 2.55m) bank and a stone-lined entrance (Wth of base 3.2) through the outer bank at SE, with a causeway (Wth of top 3.6m; H 0.65m) across the fosse (max. ext. diam. 80m). It has been described as a possible ringwork castle (Sweetman1999, 4).

Just NE of the centre there is a grass-covered hollow (int. dims 9.4m NW-SE; 6m NE-SW; D 0.6-1.2m) with an entrance (Wth of base 0.75m) at SE, which is probably a quarry. The rath has a crescent-shaped enclosure attached to the SW, which is probably a pre-existing large enclosure (ME009-057001-). This is a circular grass-covered area (diam. c. 100m NE-SW) that is defined by a scarp (at NW: Wth 2m; H 1m) that can be traced visibly SSW-W-NE but the perimeter meets the outer bank of the rath at NE and is absent SE-S.

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: 1 November 2018
Amended: 15 December 2022

References

Sweetman, D. 1999 The medieval castles of Ireland. Cork. The Collins Press.