Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

Classified as a ringfort in the SMR but McGuinness suggested that this monument should be reclassified as a platform-barrow due to lack of enclosing bank around edge of platform.
Surveyed in 2012 and described by McGuinness (2012, 29) as following: ‘Low, circular dished platform (Diam. 38m N-S x 38m E-W), surrounded by ditch varying from 2.5-3.5m in width, giving an overall diameter of 43.5m on the N-S axis where ditch is clearly visible. Dished appearance of platform is most pronounced in SW quadrant, but even here there is no trace of a bank around edge of platform that might justify its classification as a ringfort in the RMP. Ditch is best preserved from SE clockwise to S, after sudden rise in external ground level to SE; and also on N side, due to external ground level being slightly higher than adjacent parts. On SE side, where ditch is well preserved, it reaches a depth of 0.68m below platform. Ground surrounding monument is fairly level on all sides but ESE, where broad summit of hill drops away sharply; on this side the ditch is barely visible, although the platform rises 1.6m above external ground level.
According to the landowner, Mr Eddie Tormey, monument was locally known as 'The Holding Fort', dating back to the times of cattle-rustling—a tradition suggestive of the Táin like that recorded by Macalister and Murray (1931-2, 311) at Rathbennett (WM011-056----) about 1km to S. At NW edge of monument are foundations of a rectangular house (10m x 5.5m) with long axis running NW-SE; there is a pile of rubble at its SE end, abutting the platform, which has been heightened here due to disturbance. Mr Tormey remembers this to have always been a ruin, but it was traditionally regarded as a house or hut connected with 'The Holding Fort'. There may be a causeway leading from NW side of platform, just SW of house, roughly in direction of Site 8 (WM011-021----), but this may be the result of disturbance connected with the house.
A flat-topped mound surrounded by a ditch (WM011-021---) lies on flattish summit of hill 31m to WNW; a. ring-barrow (WM011-026----) lies at opposite end of elongated summit c. 250m to S. Frewin Hill (WM011-133----) is prominent to S, and barrow at Fulmort (WM011-160----) is prominent on ridge to NE’.

See attached profile of monument surveyed and drawn by the ASI.

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien based on details provided by David McGuinness.

Date of upload: 7 April 2016

References

McGuinness, D. 2012 The prehistoric burial mounds and related monument of County Westmeath. Part I - Preliminary account of the monuments in the Lough Owel Area (Barony of Corkaree and part of Barony of Moyashel & Magheradernon). Unpublished survey funded by Westmeath County Council in association with Westmeath Archaeological and Historical Society.

Macalister, R.A.S. and Murray, R. 1931-2 The excavation of a burial tumulus near Bunbrosna, Co. Westmeath. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 40C, 308-11.