Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated on level ground at a break in a gentle NW-facing slope. Oval trivallate site (int. dims. 27m x 23.5m; max. ext. dims. 70m NE-SW; 66m NW-SE) defined by an earthen bank surmounted by a stone wall (Wth 4m; H 1.5m) and an external flat-bottomed fosse (Wth 3.5m; D 1-1.5m). The outer (middle) bank (Wth 3-4.5m; H 1m) lies immediately outside the fosse with a level berm (Wth 3m at SW to 14m at N) between it and the outermost bank (Wth 1.5-3m; H 0.6-1.3m) giving the outermost enclosing element a pronounced oval shape (dims. 62m x 55m). Outside this is a flat-bottomed fosse (Wth 2-2.5m; D 1-1.5m). There is a well-defined entrance at the NE consisting of gaps in the inner (Wth 3m) and outermost (Wth 4m) banks with corresponding causeways across the fosses. The middle bank does not survive at this point. An additional bank forms a cuspate entrance feature (L 7m; Wth 2m) within the inner enclosure. The N terminal of the outermost bank turns inwards along the line of the entrance feature for 1.5m with a further bank extending along the same line for another 2m.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wicklow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload/revision: 17 December 2008

This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 117/1940).