Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

On a slight N-S ridge on the N-facing slope of Rathcroghan. D-shaped grass-covered area (dims 43.2m N-S; 43m E-W) surrounding the ridge (H 1.6-2.2m) defined by an earthen bank (Wth 3-5m; int. H 0.3-0.7m; ext. H 0.5-0.9m generally to 1.5m at S) and by a scarp (H 0.8m) on the straight W side (L 38m) which is aligned NNE-SSW and which has been truncated by a bank of field system (RO022-056025-). There is a slight fosse (Wth of top 6-7m; Wth of base 2m; D 0.2-0.5m) at E and S, and the entrance (Wth 3m) is at S. A small sandstone bullaun stone (RO022-056055-) (dims 0.35m x 0.25m; H 0.3m) with a single basin (dims 0.15m x 0.12m; D 0.1m) is at the site, and barrow (RO022-056022-) is 3.5m to the N. (Knox 1914a, 15-7; Waddell 1983, 37; 1988, 10, No. 35)
Geophysical testing noted enhanced anomalies in an area (dims c. 11m N-S; c. 9m E-W) at the centre, but no recognisable structure was recorded. Activity outside the straight W side was interpreted as a roadway between the rath bank and the field bank and the field system is interpreted as pre-dating the rath. (Waddell et al. 2009, 45-53)

This is a National Monument in state ownership: No. 294.

Compiled by: Michael Moore

Date of upload: 24 August 2010

References

Knox, H.T. 1914 Ruins of Cruachain Ai. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 44, 1-50.

Waddell, J., Fenwick, J. and Barton, K. 2009 Rathcroghan: archaeological and geophysical survey in a ritual landscape. Dublin. Wordwell.

Waddell, J. 1983 Rathcroghan - a royal site in Connaught. Journal of Irish Archaeology 1, 21-46.

Waddell, J. 1988 Rathcroghan in Connacht. Emania 5, 5-18.