Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated on a prominent N-facing slope of E-W orientated ridge in pasture. Raised circular area (diam. c.28m) enclosed by a broad flat-topped internal bank of earth and stone (Wth 4-4.15m; int. H 0.3-0.7m). At the external base of the internal bank is a broad flat-bottomed fosse (Wth 4.8m-5.1m). Immediately outside the fosse is a second broad flat-topped bank of earth and stone (Wth 4.35-4.5m; int. H 2.5-2.8m) and an external broad flat-bottomed fosse (Wth 5m; D 1-1.3m). The internal bank is best preserved E-SSE where it contains more rubble stone than elsewhere. The inner side of the internal bank is revetted with limestone slabs laid on edge giving a vertical inner face to the bank E-SE. The external fosse is best preserved SE-NNW and is mostly infilled and barely visible NNW-SE. A break (Wth 4.5m) in the internal bank, with a causeway across the first fosse and a corresponding break (Wth 4.5m) in the second bank and a causeway across the external fosse, marks the position of the original entrance. The N edge of the causeway is revetted with two courses of limestone blocks where it spans the innermost fosse. A very disturbed kerb consisting of a single row of limestone blocks extends from the N side of the entrance break in the internal bank into the interior. A large rectangular conglomerate block (dims L 1.7m; T 0.44m; H 0.45m) lies at a right angle to the W end of the kerb. The remains of a souterrain (SL015-010002-) are located in the internal bank at W.

Compiled by: Patrick F. O'Donovan

Date of upload: 21 April 2011