Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

On a NE-facing slope of rising ground in upland area overlooking river valley to E and N. Steep river ravine runs past ringfort immediately to N on an E-W axis, acting like a defensive feature on this side but not forming an enclosing element. Ringfort built right up against ravine but not utilising the ravine as an enclosing feature and is located on partially reclaimed wet land now in re-seeded grassland. . Nearby cliff-edge fort (TS049-037----) 250m to NW and ringfort (TS049-036----) 300m to N. Ringfort consists of a large circular area (int. diam. 39m NNW-SSE; 48m E-W; overall diam 54m E-W) enclosed by an earth and stone bank (top Wth. 1.5- 3m; base Wth 2-4m; int. H 0.4m; ext. H 0.7-1.2m) and poorly preserved outer fosse (base Wth 3m; top Wth 4m; ext. D 0.25m) visible at W only. Bank, covered in thorn and gorse bushes, is preserved from S through W to NW only elsewhere are defined by a scarp (H 3m at E; 7m at N), originally the bank enclosed the whole, unlike a cliff-edge fort. Large natural rock outcrop protruding above surface of ringfort in centre of interior. Gap (Wth 4m) in bank at SE may be original or may be a later livestock gap. Bank mainly reduced to a scarp from NW through N to E on the ravine side and is best preserved at W on the upslope. Very steep drop to ravine from NW to N where monument is defined by a scarp. Interior slopes from W to E, with a berm like feature enclosing the monument from NE to E only. Slight cattle poaching done to external face of bank at W.

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Date of upload: 26 August 2011