Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Rathard

On E-facing slope of hill in undulating terrain. Field immediately E of ringfort under tillage, field in which ringfort is situated is under grass. Interior overgrown with nettles and scrub, though there are clear areas under grass. Roughly circular enclosure (diam. 27m NW-SE), defined by high, substantial round-topped bank (Wth 2.3-2.7m crest, 3.7--5m base; int. H 0.48-0.95m; H above fosse 1.36-2.1m; flat-bottomed fosse (Wth 2.3-3.1m); outer bank (Wth 1.6m crest, 1.6-3.7m base; ext. H 0.23m) measurements for NW and SE quadrants respectively. Possible outer bank, may be field boundary respecting existing monument, unusually wide intervening area if this is an outer bank. Outer bank terminates due S. Gap in inner bank (Wth 2m) in SSE possibly original entrance. Field boundary runs roughly N-S kinks around E quadrant from SSE to NNE, field boundary continues NW-SE, outer bank continues from due N to W to S. Gap (Wth 1.4m) in inner bank NNE which possible due to cattle erosion. Internal stone revetment on inner bank in NW. SW half of ringfort is heavily overgrown with nettles and dense scrub. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 26 August 2011