Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated on the summit of an E-W ridge with extensive views. Circular area (diam. 50m) on a natural platform defined by an earthen bank (Wth 3-4m; int. H 0.85m; ext. H 2.5m). There is a berm (Wth 4-4.5m) outside the bank from SW-NE, which at the SW merges into a sunken trackway extending W-E along the S perimeter. This trackway has a very substantial field bank (Wth 4m) and fosse on its S edge. The entrance (Wth 2.3m) at the SW is faced by boulders with a ramp, flanked by low banks, leading down to the berm. In the SE quadrant of the interior, backing onto the inside of the bank, is a subtriangular area (dims. 22m NE-SW; 13m NW-SE) defined by a bank and traces of a fosse. Foundations of a rectangular hut (dims. 4.5m x 4m) lie SW of the centre of the enclosure with a subrectangular hollow (dims. 12m x 5m) immediately to the SE. A small triangular annexe (20m E-W; 18m N-S) defined by an earthen bank (Wth 1.5m) is attached to the enclosure at the SE.

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