Ringfort - rath

The National Monuments Service's description

Monument surveyed by ASI and described in 1971 as following; ‘A small D-shaped enclosure bounded by a slight earth and stone bank with very slight remains of an external fosse. The site has a general uneven slope from ENE-WSW. The slight fosse is visible from N-S-SE. It is completely filled up elsewhere. A modern NE-SW field fence extends just outside and roughly parallel with the straight side of the ‘D’ on the NW. The bank is disturbed in several places by cattle and scrub roots. There is a wide relatively modern gap in the bank on the NNE. A gap (Wth 2.3m) on the S represents the entrance. Abutting against the inside of the bank on the E side of the entrance is a small sub-rectangular depression with slight remains of an earthen bank on its upper edge. Extending WSW from the inside of the bank on the ENE is a slight earthen bank with small stones visible in it. It is 8.2m long. Near the centre of the Rath is a large stone which is probably in its natural position. To the W of it is a very slight mound of earth and stones in which some whitethorn bushes grow. This mound was probably raised by the roots of the bushes’(SMR File 12/07/1971). The monument was revisited by the ASI in 1977 when the monument was described as ‘been destroyed’ and ‘there is now no indication of the site. The field has been tilled and is under barley. No features are visible. The site was on a rise overlooked by slightly higher ground to the E, with extensive views to the N, W and S. Slieve Bloom Mountains visible to the SW’ (ASI File 12/09/1977).

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 16 February 2013