Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Newtown (hodgins)

Situated on a natural rise of ground sloping gradually to the E, in pastureland. A raised circular area (diam. 32.7m N-S; 33.4m E-W) enclosed by two banks and an intervening fosse (Wth 3.7m). The inner bank (Wth 3.7m; int. H 0.8m; ext. H 1.54m) is less pronounced from N-E-S. The outer bank (Wth 5.35m; int. H 1.11m; ext. H 0.56m) only survives from S-W-N and is lower than the inner bank. The interior slopes slightly to the E. A field boundary extends into the NW quadrant, over the outer bank and terminating at the fosse. There are some instances of quarrying in the NW and W sectors and large boulders and stones are dumped on the outer bank at SE. Mature beech trees grow on the inner bank. The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Tipperary. Vol. 1 - North Tipperary' compiled by Jean Farrelly and Caimin O'Brien (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2002). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 22 September 2008