Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated on a low ridge of ground running N-S with good views to W and NW but limited by higher ground on other sides. Ballynascarry House located 770m to E and similar tree-lined earthwork (WM001-013----) located 480m to N. Depicted as a designed landscaped tree-ring on all editions of the OS maps and not as an antiquity. Ringfort which was converted into a tree-ring in the post-1700 period possibly by the occupants of Ballynascarry House. Present remains consist of a raised circular area (diam. 29m) enclosed by an earth and stone bank (Wth 1.5-2m; int. H 0.7-0.9m; ext. H 1.5-2m) reduced to a scarp in places with a fosse (base Wth 3.5-11.2m) and a second earthen bank (Wth 4.5-7.2m; int. H 0.2-0.8m; ext. H 0.8-1.2m) which is enclosed by an external fosse (base Wth 3.5m) visible from NNE-NE-E-S-SW only. A third earth and stone bank (Wth 5.2-6m; int. H 0.7m; ext. H 0.8-0.95m) which was possibly revetted by a drystone wall on its external face is not visible from W-N. The outer fosse and third external bank may have been built when the ringfort was landscaped into a tree-ring in the post-1700 period. The ringfort was entered via a causewayed entrance gap (Wth 2-3m) visible at SE. A rectangular depression in the centre of the ringfort which is defined by loose stones may represent the remains of a house site (WM001-012001-).

See attached sketch profile of monument drawn by ASI.

Compiled by: Frank Coyne and Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 15 November 2016