Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated on a slight rise in a col between drumlins to the NW and SE with slightly lower ground to the NE and SW. This was described in 1967 as a subcircular grass and scrub-covered area (dims 25m N-S; 22m NE-SW) with some rock outcrop, which was defined by an earthen bank (Wth 2.2-2.6m; int. H 0.2m; ext. H 0.7-1m). There was no visible fosse, but the entrance (Wth of base 1.25m) was at NNW. There was a rectangular house site (int. dims 5m NW-SE; 5m NE-SW) defined by spreads of earth and stone (Wth 1.5m; H 0.7-0.8m) with entrance gaps at SE (Wth 1.6m) and NW (Wth 1.3m) inside the perimeter at NE. There was a circular depression (dims 7.2m N-S; 4.9m E-W; D 0.5m), probably an old quarry, inside the bank at SE. The monument was cut by a NW-SE field band towards the perimeter at SW, and the part NE of this was removed by a quarry between 1995 and 2000 (OSAP).

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.

Revised by: Michael Moore

Date of revision: 04 March 2011

References

OSAP - Ordnance Survey Aerial Photographs. Photographic collection. Ordnance Survey of Ireland. Dublin.