Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

At a break of slope, on the S side of a ridge overlooking the valley of the Owenboy River to S; with panoramic views. A slightly raised oval area (21.8m N-S; 24.6m E-W) defined by two enclosing banks/walls with an intervening fosse. The inner bank is evident along the E arc as a low sod-covered stony bank (Wth 2.7m; int. H 0.5m; ext. H 0.5m) with some internal stone kerbing and along the W arc as low wall-footings with internal and external stone facing (Wth 2.3m; int. H 0.4m; ext. H 0.3m). There is a berm (Wth 2m; H 0.5m) outside the bank SW-NW. The outer bank (Wth 3.4m; int. H 0.7m; ext. H 0.65m) is well defined SW-NW, degraded E-S and levelled elsewhere. The fosse (Wth 2.3m) best evident SW-NW, less well defined E-S and evident only by a growth of rushes elsewhere. There is a possible entrance (Wth 1.2m), partially lined with stones, through the banks and across the fosse at SE. The entrance is partially obscured by a dense growth of irises. The interior slopes gently down to S and is mostly covered with rushes and irises. There is a wet boggy area in the SE quadrant. A hut site (SL025-037002-) lies to W of centre.

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