Ringfort - cashel

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated on a knoll of rock outcrop in a low-lying landscape with a valley extending off to the NW. A canalised S-N stream curves around the monument S-E-N c. 30m distant and forms the boundary with Co. Armagh. This is an oval grass and scrub-covered area (dims 39m NNW-SSE; 26m ENE-WSW) with rock outcrop defined by an earth and stone bank (Wth c. 3m) at the base of the outcrop NNW-E-SE, and rising over the ridge SE-SW. The perimeter is provided by a scarp (H 1.9m) SW-W and a rock cliff W-NNW. There is a gap (Wth of base c. 3m) at SE, but the original entrance (Wth of base 2.7m) is probably that at S. In the interior, between exposures of rock outcrop at NE and NW is a rectangular house site (ext. dims 9.7m NW-SE; 5.7m NE-SW) defined by earthen banks (Wth c. 1-1.5m; H c. 0.3m), but the NE side is almost entirely missing.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Monaghan' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1986). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Compiled by: Michael Moore

Date of revision: 26 February 2018