Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated on a gentle rise (400ft/122mOD), in gently undulating pasture, with good views in all directions, particularly to E and S. Adamstown Castle (WM025-131----) lies c. 60m to E. Monument described as a large subcircular-shaped earthwork enclosed by a substantial earth and stone bank, an intervening fosse and an outer bank. The inner bank is much disturbed, having several modern gaps and has been steepened along the top in relatively recent times. The remains of a relatively modern external stone facing are visible along the upper reaches. Two stones on the interior at W are formally set and appear to be an original part of the inner bank. Slight depressions at the base of the bank at NW seem to be relatively modern. The intervening fosse is present from NE-E-SSE and from S-W-NW and is best preserved at ENE, however there is evidence of modern disturbance in several places. The fosse is almost completely infilled yet traceable from NW-N-NE. The outer bank is visible from NE-E-SSE and from S-W-NW, being best preserved at ENE. It takes a linear form along the E side, where it may have been modified. A number of low banks cross the fosse at NW, NE, SE and SW. Where the fosse and outer bank are absent from SSE-S, a pair of narrow, linear earth and stone banks splay outwards from the inner bank to the stop ends of the outer bank and may represent an entrance feature. Old field banks cut into the outer bank at NE and SE. The interior has a gentle ESE-facing slope and contains a number of features.
A pair of conjoined house sites (WM025-130001-) adjoin the interior of the bank from S-SSW and another house site (WM025-130002-) is visible within the N quadrant. A low, narrow earth and stone bank running N-S extends across the interior from the single house site to the pair of house sites at S. A sub-triangular raised area with a slight depression along its foot, adjoins the interior of the bank at ENE. A possible souterrain (WM025-130003-) is in the SW quadrant.

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

Compiled by Alison McQueen, Vera Rahilly and Caimin O’Brien.

Date of upload: 24 September 2019