Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated on a SW-facing slope at the W foothills of the Monavullagh Mountains. Circular grass-covered area (diam. 34.4m N-S; 33.4m E-W) defined by an earth and stone bank (Wth 3-4m; int. H 0.2m at W (downslope) to 1.1m at E; ext. H 0.8m at S to 2.2m at E), which is incorporated into a stone field wall NW-NNE. An external fosse (Wth of top 3.7m; Wth of base 2m; D 1.2m) survives NNE-SE. The entrance (Wth 2.1m) is through the field wall at N, but the original entrance cannot be identified. A souterrain site (WA014-007002-) is in the interior and a rath (WA014-006----) is c. 30m to the N. A relict field bank (WA014-008----) (Wth 2m; H 0.2-0.8m) runs E from the outer bank at E (L c. 10m) where it is cut by a N-S field bank and drain, but the relict bank turns S in a curving arc (C 30m N-S) in the field to the E. The rath remains unplanted in a coniferous forest.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Waterford' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1999). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Compiled by: Michael Moore

Date of upload/revision: 17 November 2010