Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

In rough grazing, on top of a low ridge. A raised circular area (19.8m N-S; 20m E-W) defined by a scarp with an intervening fosse and an outer bank. The scarp (H 1.2m) has an almost vertical face and retains a slight internal lip (Wth 2m) S-SW. The outer bank (Wth 2.5m; int. H 0.55m; ext. H 0.4m) is evident NE-SSW, incorporated into or replaced by a linear field boundary at W and truncated by another field boundary at N. The intervening fosse (Wth 3.3m) is also evident NE-SSW, elsewhere it is distinguished by a band of wet ground densely covered with rushes. A section of a linear bank (L 14m; Wth 2.3m; int. H 0.7m; ext. H 0.55m) evident ENE-ESE, 2.3m outside the external bank may be the remains of a second bank but could also be a remnant of a field boundary. The interior slopes slightly down from the centre to N. A slump (Wth 1.4m) in the scarp at ESE is directly opposite a break (Wth 3.5m) in the outer bank. A field system (SL047-084003-) lies c. 20m N and downslope of the rath and an enclosure (SL047-084002-) lies c. 30m to E. There is a burnt mound (SL047-084004-) c. 100m to SE.

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