Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Oughtagh

In pasture, located on rise with extensive views over rolling grassland and expanse of wetland. Raised circular area (35.3m E−W; 37.7m N−S) defined by an earthen bank/scarp. The bank (Wth 4.8m; int. H 0.3m; ext. H 2m at N) retains a low internal rim on the N arc and at SE, and has a broad external slump at NE−E; it is reduced to a scarp (H 1.2m at S, 2.2m at E) elsewhere. An earth and stone field fence (Wth 4.4m at W, 3.5m at S; int. H 1.4m at S, 1.5m at W; ext. H 0.7m at S, 1.6m at W) curves around the rath at S−NW. It has a broad internal slump at S-SW and has stone facing on its inner slope on the NW arc. This may be an original external bank which was modified and incorporated into the field fence. The intervening gap (Wth 4.4m at W, 3.5m at S) between it and the rath platform may preserve the outline of a fosse. There is a low slumped section (Wth 2.7m) in the scarp at SE, possibly the location of an original entrance. The interior has a slight slope down from centre to S−SE. Relict cultivation ridges, oriented E-W, are visible in the N half of the interior. Gorse and hawthorn bushes grow around the rath perimeter; the interior is grassy. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 6 August 2021