Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In undulating pasture, on the S end of a ridge with panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. A substantially raised circular area (25.8m NW-SE; 26.9m NE-SW) enclosed on top by an inner earthen bank and at base by a fosse with an outer bank. The inner bank (Wth 5.2m; int. H 0.1m; ext. H 3.4m) is low internally and at N and SE has been levelled. A well-defined fosse (Wth 2.4m) with a narrow base is evident all round. An outer bank (Wth 3.3m; int. H 0.5m; ext. H 1.4m) is evident all round and its slope is enhanced along the NW and SE arcs by the natural slope of ground. The entrance (Wth 2m) is at SE with a causeway (Wth 4m) across the fosse. Gaps (Wth 2m) occur in the inner and outer banks at W and a low area in the inner bank faces a gap (Wth 6m) in the outer bank at E. The interior is generally level though there is a slightly raised area (c. 11m NW-SE; 15m NE-SW) in the N half at the W end of which is a circular hollow (diam. 3m; D 0.4m). There is a road (SL025-159----) c. 40m to N.

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