What is recorded here

Fairy fort in Rathmurragh, County Offaly, presents a 55m circular arena enclosed by earthen banks and a flat-bottomed fosse, yet dense overgrowth hides the entrance and interior from human eyes. The north-facing slope holds a forgotten shape where the inner bank dips into a sunken amphitheatre, suggesting a place made for gathering rather than defence. What happened inside that green chamber remains unknown, but the preserved circle implies people once shaped the hill for ceremony, conflict or domestic life before vegetation reclaimed the boundary.

Located on N facing slope of a hill just below the top. The ringfort is totally overgrown making examination impossible. The site appears to consist of a circular area (diam 55m) enclosed by an earthen bank (Wth 2m; int. H 2m; ext. H 3m) which is enclosed by a wide flat bottomed fosse ( int. D 3m; Wth 1-2m) which itself is enclosed by an outer bank (Wth 1m, ext. H 2m). The inner bank gently slopes into a sunken interior which gives it an amphitheatre effect. Impossible to examine interior or search for an entrance feature due to dense overgrowth. The site has an approx. overall diameter of 70m N-S. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

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