Enclosure - large enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated on a rise in a level, low-lying landscape with the headwaters of a small NE-SW tributary of the SE-NW Blackwater River c. 50m to the NW. This enclosure was known locally as ‘Boyle’s Rath’ in the 1930s and a lot of folklore is associated with it (IFC Schools Collection, vol. 692, 248). This is a slightly raised oval and grass-covered area (dims 82m NE-SW; 48.5m NW-SE) defined by an earthen bank (Wth of base 7-8m; int. H 0.1m at W to 0.6m at SSW; ext. H 1.3m at ESE to 2.3m at NNE) and an outer fosse (Wth of top 5.5m at NNE to 7-10m generally; Wth of base 1-2m; ext. D 0.2-0.5m), which is missing NE-E where there are some old quarries. A natural NE-SW ridge runs through the interior, and there is an in-turned entrance (Wth of base 3.25m) at E.

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: 14 August 2019
Amended: 24 March 2023

This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 21/1977).