Ringfort - cashel

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated at the summit of Red Hill affording panoramic views in all directions. Circular platform (diam. 30m) enclosed by a substantial, although largely collapsed, wall of drystone masonry (Wth 5.5-6m; H 1m). An external facing of large blocks may still be traced at the S half of the cashel and at N and NE. Original entrance may have been at E. From NW-N-NE, 10-15m out from the external foot of the cashel wall, is a substantial bank of earth and stone (Wth 5m; H 1m) with an external fosse (Wth 4-5.7m) and outer bank (Wth 5m; H 1.25m). Both banks have evidence for internal and external stone revetment. From SE-S-SW only the largely levelled remains of the inner bank is still traceable. Both banks and fosse are absent at W where the site is defended by the naturally-occurring steep slope of the hill. They are also absent at E. A rectangular pit (7.5m NW-SE; 3.6m NE-SW) has been dug into the inner face of the first bank at N. The cashel is divided into unequal portions by a NE-SW field boundary. Built beneath or against the inner face of the cashel wall is a souterrain (SL019-064002-). There is a hut site (SL019-064003-) 100m E. Much of the upper reaches of Red Hill are occupied by an disused field system (SL019-064004-) of uncertain antiquity.

Attached image: SL019-064001_01 Location of cashel viewed from N

Compiled by: Patrick F. O'Donovan

Date of upload: 19 January 2011