What is recorded here

Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Balrath (rathconrath By., Churchtown Ed) is a fairy fort or earthen ringfort in Balrath (rathconrath By., Churchtown Ed), County Westmeath, Ireland. A 1971 survey described the site as a roughly circular area measuring 43.5 metres east to west and 39 metres north to south, enclosed by a steep exterior bank almost reduced to a scarp and an external fosse that is best preserved from south-southeast through south to west. No clear entrance feature was visible, while the interior displayed a gentle east-facing slope and definite traces of cultivation ridges running east to west.

Situated on a slight rise, in gently undulating pasture, with extensive views to ESE and S. A pond lies c. 155m to SW. Monument described in 1971 as a roughly circular-shaped area (dims. 43.5m E-W; 39m N-S) enclosed by a bank and external fosse with no clear entrance feature visible. The bank is steep on the exterior and is almost reduced to a scarp and is slightly defaced by livestock in several places. The fosse is wide, shallow and flat-based with steep sides and is best preserved from SSE-S-W. The interior has a gentle E-facing slope and definite traces of cultivation ridges running E-W. A complex of banks, scarps and trenches surround the site, with some of the banks in close proximity. It is difficult to assess whether these represent part of a modern field system which has gone into disuse or whether it is an older system. See attached profile of monument surveyed by the ASI. Compiled by Alison McQueen, Vera Rahilly and Caimin O’Brien. Date of upload: 03 September 2019

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