Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In level pasture. A slightly raised circular area (22.4m N-S; 20.7m E-W) defined SE-NE by the remains of an earth and stone bank and truncated NE-SE by a linear field boundary, probably incorporating the bank. The bank (Wth 2.5m; int. H 0.4m; ext. H 0.8m) is evident as a low sod-covered rise with protruding stones. Traces of possible stone revetment are evident on the external face of the bank at S and several low eroded areas were noted at NE, NW and SE. According to local information, the bank was partially levelled to allow access to the interior. The interior is level with a possible field clearance cairn (diam. 2.5m; H 0.3m) situated off centre to W. Immediately to the W of the cairn are two rectangular closely set stones (N stone: H 0.5m; Wth 0.35m; T 0.2m, S stone: H 0.5m; Wth 0.35m; T 0.17m) leaning at an oblique angle. Narrow vertical grooves, noted on the E- and S-facing sides of the N stone and on the S-facing side of the S stone, are probably natural. There is a local tradition that these stones are grave-markers. E-W cultivation ridges were noted in the surrounding field.

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