Embanked enclosure

On a level landscape. Subcircular grass-covered area (dims 54.5.m E-W; 46.5m N-S) defined by an earthen bank (Wth 6.9-9.8m; int. H 0.8m at S to 2m at N; ext. H 1.8m at S to 2.8m at N) with some bushes separated by a rounded fosse (Wth of top 6.3m at S to 8.2m at N; Wth of base 1.8-2m; D 1-1.2m) from an outer bank (Wth 3.6-5m; H 0.2m), which only survives NE-S-WSW (max. surviving dims c. 78m E-W; c. 75m N-S). There is a causeway but no entrance gap at WSW, and the original entrance (Wth 2.3m) is in the inner bank at NE. There is a small enclosure (RO029-029002-) at the centre (int. dims 2.6m E-W; 1.6m N-S) defined by an earthen bank (Wth 2m; H 0.2m) with intermittently visible facing-stones which is within a second enclosure (RO029-029006-) (int. dims 10.7m E-W; 9.4m N-S) defined by an earthen bank (Wth 2-2.3m; H 0.2m) with facing-stones. Neither enclosure has an entrance. Inside the rath bank at SE is an oval mound (RO029-029003-) (dims 12m N-S; 7m E-W; H 0.5-1m) and there is a circular mound (RO029-029004-) (diam. 7m E-W; 6m N-S; H 0.4-0.8m) inside the rath bank at NW. The internal features are probably ornamental and related to Strokestown House, which is c. 1 km to the WNW. The rath is surrounded by some pits (RO029-029005-). See the attached aerial view taken from the ESE. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload: 24 August 2010