Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated at the W edge of a ridge running roughly NNW-SSE overlooking stream 70m to E which flows into Lough Adeel located 280m to SE. Ringfort (WM008-037----) 500m to E, castle earthworks (WM008-030---) 770m to WSW. Present remains consist of a roughly circular-shaped area (approx. diam. 26m) enclosed by an earthen bank with possible rectangular shaped annexe or small field to E which is defined by an earthen bank and external fosse. Possible traces of a second enclosure immediately to N although this is uncertain as the remains are quite faint and may be post-1700 in date relating to land improvement works. Earthworks 60m to WNW consisting of a wide L-shaped fosse (approx. dims. 75m N-S x 50m E-W) creating a possible rectangular paddock or field bisected by a drainage ditch shown on the OS 25-inch map running E-W is related to land reclamation works of post 1700 date. The site is located in a reclaimed field which was once wetland associated with the NW shoreline of Lough Adeel. The 1910 ed. OS 25-inch map shows several linear drainage ditches in this field in the area to the NW of the possible ringfort. The linear drainage ditch running roughly N-S which forms the W side of a rectangular-shaped field to WNW of ringfort is one of the drainage ditches depicted on the OS 25-inch map.

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien based on details provided by Emmet Byrnes

Date of upload: 31 December 2019