Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In rough grazing, at a break of slope on the S side of a ridge. A slightly raised circular area (43.4m E-W) defined by the remains of an earthen bank (Wth 3.7m; int. H 0.4m; ext. H 1.45m) SW-NW and by a scarp elsewhere. The slope of the scarp (H 2.3m) is enhanced SE-S by the natural slope of the ridge. Gaps occur in the bank at NW (Wth 2m), W (Wth 3m) and WSW (Wth 1.2m). A shallow external depression (Wth 2m; D 0.3m) SW-W is possibly the remains of a silted-up fosse and it is skirted by a flat terrace (Wth 5m; H 0.6m) which may be a natural feature. The interior slopes down to E and is densely overgrown with ferns. Roughly in the centre of the E half is a low gently curving scarp (L c. 6m N-S). At the N end of the interior is an arc of sod-covered stones (6.5m E-W; c. 3m N-S; H 0.5m) W-E terminated at the W end by a field clearance cairn overgrown with bushes. A broad natural terrace surrounds the N perimeter of the rath. Hazel trees grow around the perimeter and there is a small hazel wood on the slope to E and SE.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Sligo' compiled by Ursula Egan, Elizabeth Byrne, Mary Sleeman with Sheila Ronan and Connie Murphy (Dublin Stationery Office, 2005).

Date of upload: 18 January 2008