Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated on steep NE-facing slope of high ridge with good views over the surrounding pasture-land. Wayside cross (WM004-008----) 150m to E. An oval-shaped area (approx. diam. 34m N-S; 35m E-W) defined by a poorly preserved earthen bank best preserved at SW, reduced to a scarp at NW and SE with U-shaped external fosse best preserved fosse at SW. Faint traces of fosse visible at NE, elsewhere it has been completely filled in. Possible entrance gap (Wth 1.8m) at SW. The outline of a rectangular house (WM004-007001-) is visible in NE quadrant of interior. To the NW of the centre is a large sub-rectangular depression (dims. L 8.4m x Wth 5.2m) with mounds (avg. diam. 1.9m), probably upcast along its upper edges. It is not known whether this is merely due to digging or whether it represents a pit dwelling. Several low grass covered mounds can be seen on the surface of the interior, some of which have visible traces of shallow fosse-like features enclosing the mound. Some of the mounds overlie the enclosing bank suggesting that they are all later features. The interior slopes from NW to SE and is quite uneven, and has been impacted by quarrying. Described in 1957 as 'the Rath of Knockadoon on the left with its strange barrows atop of the rath and one of the wayside crosses (WM004-008----) below' (Adams 1957,44).

Compiled by: Frank Coyne & Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 12 December 2016

References

Adams, F.R.G. 1957 As viewed from the Ben of Fore (2). Ríocht na Mídhe I (3), 44-49.