Sites and Monuments Record · Ireland
Moated site
Rattin, County Westmeath, Ireland
The record
- Townland
- Rattin
- County
- Westmeath
- Country
- Ireland
- First-edition OS map
- Outlined, Monastery
- Latest-edition OS map
- Hachured, Monastery (Site of)
- Coordinates
- 53.45575, -7.17781
- SMR number
- WM027-067001-
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
4 historical maps cover this location, the earliest the 1790 map "Composite: Ireland." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Historical maps covering this location
- 1790 · Composite: Ireland. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1811 · Ireland. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1869 · Ireland. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1891 · Ireland 16 (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
This record in the National Monuments Service's Historic Environment Viewer ↗
The National Monuments Service's description
This monument is annotated as ‘Monastery’ and depicted on the 1837 ed. OS 6-inch map as a long rectangular building (WM027-067002-) aligned N-S standing in the centre roughly rectangular-shaped enclosure with damage to the enclosing element on the E side. A field boundary running N-S intersects the SE angle of the enclosure on the 1837 ed. OS 6-inch map. The monastery of Clonfad was founded in this townland around the middle of the 6th century by St. Etchen (Cogan 1870, 553). The church (WM027-006005-) and graveyard (WM027-066001-) was probably built on the site of the monastery rather than the square-shaped enclosure marked as ‘Monastery’ on the 1837 ed. OS 6-inch map.
‘Bishop’s Grave’ (WM027-066004-) 145m to the SSW. Church (WM027-066005-), graveyard (WM027-066001-) and two high crosses (WM027-066002-/003-) 225m to SW. In pasture on low natural rise of ground with good views in all directions. Square-shaped area (dims. 42m N-S; 43m E-W) defined by a substantial earthen bank with no visible traces of an external fosse. A large portion of the ENE end of the monument has been quarried away as depicted on the 1837 ed. OS 6-inch map. No visible entrance feature. No visible trace of any masonry in the enclosing bank. The four angles of the enclosure have high rounded corners similar to a moated site. Shallow depression in the NW corner of the enclosure may be the remains of quarrying. The grass-covered wall footings of the building (overall int. dims. c. 18.4m N-S; 4m E-W) depicted on the 1840 ed. OS 6-inch map are visible off centre to the E. This building is aligned on a N-S axis and was divided internally by a wall now visible as a grass-covered bank at N end. This smaller chamber at the N end of the building measured internally 4.2m N-S by 4m E-W; the S chamber measured 14,2m N-S by 4m E-W. Although depicted as a ‘Monastery’ on the 1837 ed. OS 6-inch map this earthwork may be the remains of a moated site or the enclosing earthwork of a medieval secular building (WM027-067002-) that is depicted on the 1837 ed. OS 6-inch map.
Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien
Date of upload: 09 August 2013
References
Cogan, Rev. A. 1862-70 In John F. Fowler, Joseph Dollard (eds), The diocese of Meath, ancient and modern, 3 vols. Dublin. Dollard Publishers.
Nearby in the register
- Buildingunder 1 mi
- Burialunder 1 mi
- Graveyardunder 1 mi
- Ecclesiastical enclosureunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.