Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated on low rise of ground in rocky undulating grassland with ringfort (WM026-030----) 290m to WNW. Bivallate ringfort consisting of a raised roughly circular-shaped area (diam. 34m N-S) defined by a bank mainly reduced to a scarp with traces of a fosse and external bank. The low outer bank is depicted as a curving field boundary on the 1838 ed. OS 6-inch map and it is possible that this outer enclosing element post-dates the monument and represents the remains of a later field bank/boundary. The E quadrant of the monument has been severely degraded with only partial evidence of the enclosing fosse and external bank visible. The remains of a souterrain (WM026-031001-) are visible in the N quadrant of the ringfort interior. Sunken areas in W and S quadrant of ringfort interior may represent remains of chambers belonging to the souterrain. The interior of the ringfort slopes from WNW-ESE and has stones protruding from the surface in the W quadrant which may be roof stones of the souterrain. A sunken area in the E quadrant of the ringfort interior may represent the remains of house site or a second souterrain although this is uncertain as the surface of the ringfort is very disturbed in this area. In 1977 it was recorded that to the S and W of the ringfort are a series of low banks forming irregular-shaped enclosures of uncertain antiquity. These faint earthworks which are now barely visible may represent the remains of a small field system. At that time it was recorded that to the SSW of the ringfort are the possible remains of two small rectangular-shaped house sites defined by low earthen banks. These house sites were not visible at time of inspection. The E and S quadrants of the ringfort appear to be intersected by low field banks which represents a field system which post-dates the monument.
The earthworks to the S of the ringfort were described in 1898 as following; 'there lie what appear to be the remains of very ancient buildings, in fact, the place is covered with ruins, some comparatively modern, but others, formed of cyclopean and deeply laid stones, which probably mark prehistoric sites' (Falkiner 1898-1900, 214).

See attached drawing of ringfort and souterrain surveyed in 1898 taken from Falkiner 1898-1900, 212.

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 29 August 2018

References

Falkiner, W. 1898-1900 Notes upon a Rath Souterrain at Gurteen, Gainstown, County Westmeath. Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy, Vol. 5, 211-5.