Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Field system
Portan (Ratoath By.), County Meath, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- Portan (Ratoath By.)
- County
- Meath
- Country
- Ireland
- First-edition OS map
- Fort
- Latest-edition OS map
- Hachured
- Coordinates
- 53.46906, -6.54872
- SMR number
- ME044-019----
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
4 historical maps cover this location, the earliest the 1799 map "Ireland." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Historical maps covering this location
- 1799 · Ireland. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1811 · Ireland. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1830 · V.3:11-15:XV. Britisches Reich. C. Kon: Ireland. a. Prov: Leinster. Counties: 1-12 (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1891 · Ireland 16 (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
This record in the National Monuments Service's Historic Environment Viewer ↗
The National Monuments Service's description
Situated on a fairly level landscape. A small circular embanked enclosure described as a ‘Fort’ is depicted on the 1836 edition of the OS 6-inch map and a hachured feature is represented on the 1908 edition. An area of about 5 acres (c. 2 ha) has elements of a relict field system consisting of platforms (dims c. 27m x c. 14m to c. 50m x c. 25m) defined by scarps (max. H 1m) separated by wide channels or drains (Wth 2-5m; D 0.3-1m) with two small ponds amongst them. One possible house site is visible as a rectangular area (dims 8m NW-SE; 5m NE-SW) defined by low earthen banks (Wth 2m; H 0.3m) but it is open on the SE side. This feature is located at a corner of one of the platforms and close to a pond.Archaeological testing (21E0414) by L. Clarke against the road at the W corner of the archaeological area recorded four field drains and a wide ENE-WSW ditch (Wth 2-2.2m; D 0.51m) which is interpreted as a cultivation ridge, but which is more likely to be a drainage ditch (excavations.ie2021:123).
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 upload: 10 July 2007
Amended: 22 November 2021
Nearby in the register
- Moated siteunder 1 mi
- Ritual site - holy tree/bushunder 1 mi
- Fontunder 1 mi
- Enclosureunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.