Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, on top of a low ridge. Indicated on the 1838 OS 6-inch map as an embanked circular area (diam. c. 38m). The remains consist of a slightly raised D-shaped area (dims. 42m N-S; 34m E-W) defined WSW-NE by a gapped earthen bank (Wth 4.5m; int. H 0.5m; ext. H 1.2m) truncated at E by a concrete shed. A slight undulation at SW probably indicates another portion of the bank which has been levelled. The straight S side is bordered by a vertical S-facing scarp (H 1m) revetted with concrete walling, immediately to S of which is a house. Outside the bank WSW-NW, and respecting its curve, is an earth and stone field boundary (Wth 1.5m). The intervening space (Wth 4m) is c. 0.6m below both the rath interior and ground level in the field to W and may indicate a fosse. A slight depression (Wth 3.5m) outside the bank at NNW may also be evidence of an external fosse. There are several narrow eroded breaks in the bank and at NE a larger slumped gap (Wth 2.5m). Within the level interior, adjacent to bank at N, is a slight dip in ground level corresponding with a very low flat-topped rectangular rise (c. 6m E-W; 4m N-S) immediately outside the bank. These features probably indicate the site of a small rectangular structure shown straddling the bank on the 1942-3 OS 6-inch map. There is a water trough in the interior. In 1836 three 'old forts' (see SL044-080---- and SL044-019----) were recorded in the townland of Greyfield (OSNB vol. 1, 423).

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