Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

Located on a shelf on a NE-facing slope. It is described in gothic lettering on the 1834 and 1907 editions of the OS 6-inch map as the ‘Black fort’, but it is known locally as ‘Liscowan an Ór’ (IFC Schools’ MSS 933, 313-4: https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes). This is a circular slightly domed (H 0.8-1.3m) and overgrown area (diam. 45m WNW-ESE; 44m N-S) with rock outcrop defined by an earthen bank (Wth of base 4.8-5.6m; int. H 1-1.3m; ext. H 1.8-2m) separated by a flat-bottomed fosse (Wth of top 5.8-6.6m; Wth of base 1.8-2m; ext. D 1-1.5m) that is partly rock-cut at N from an outer bank (Wth of base 3.2-4.2m; ext. H 0.8-1m) that is missing ESE-S. There are gaps in the inner bank at W, NW, ENE, SE and S, but the original entrance is not identified. The interior is cut by a NW-SE field wall that has another field bank extending NE from it at the centre of the rath. There is a local belief that there is an underground passage within it, but there is no physical evidence of this.

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: 31 January 2018

References

IFC Schools' MSS: Irish Folklore Commission Schools' Manuscripts. Department of Folklore. University College, Dublin.