Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

Prominently sited on top of a hill in undulating pasture with excellent views in all directions. A substantially raised circular area (31.2m N-S; 33.5m E-W) defined by two earthen banks and an intervening fosse. The inner bank (Wth 5-6m; int. 0.6m; ext. H 2m), evident E-N, is high externally with a slight internal lip. The interior is defined by a scarp elsewhere. The shallow intervening fosse (Wth 3m) is evident all round, marked by long grass. The outer bank can only be traced as a slight rise SW-NW. A gently ramped causeway (Wth 4.5m) across the fosse at ENE, corresponding with a slumped section of the bank, is the most likely the location of the entrance. The interior is slightly higher at the centre with a slight slope down to NE and E. Within it are three depressions or pits (SL026-027002-; SL026-027003-; SL026-027004-), all obscured by long grass, probably the three 'caves' recorded by O'Rorke ([1889], vol. 2, 458) in 'Rathrippon, near Collooney'.

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