What is recorded here
Indicated is a well-preserved fairy fort on a Mayo rise, its circular platform still bounded by a deep fosse and external bank. Hazel, hawthorn and blackthorn ring the perimeter like a living guard, while a collapsed stone chamber hides in the north-west quadrant. The entrance drops east toward a causeway, inviting anyone reckless enough to walk into the dark heart of the field.
In pasture, located on a rise, with good views. There is a stream 140m to E.
This well preserved rath consists of a substantially raised circular platform (39.3m N−S; 33.6m E−W) defined by a scarp (H 2m at N, 2.8m at S), and enclosed by a fosse (3.9m at N, 3m at S) with an external bank (Wth 6.8m at N, 6.3m at S; int. H 1.65m at N, 1.5m at S; ext. H 1.55m at N, 1m at S). Remnants of stone facing (H 1.2m) can be seen on the scarp on the N arc; this appears to be the result of modification of the scarp to serve as a field boundary in the modern era.
The interior has a slight slope down from centre toward the E, where the entrance is located. The entrance features a broad, slumped section of scarp (Wth 4m) which drops to a causeway across the fosse, with a corresponding gap (Wth 3.5m) in the external bank. An E−W field fence cuts across the N side of the entrance.
A Man-made underground passage (MA071-063002-), indicated as ‘Cave’on the 1838 and 1931 OS 6-inch maps, is located in the NW quadrant: The NE wall of a collapsed stone-built chamber is visible, and . Four close-set prostrate slabs lie on the ground surface 6m to S, probably displaced roof lintel.
The rath perimeter is thickly ringed with hazel, hawthorn and blackthorn trees. The interior ground surface is rather uneven, with hummocks and hollows, and is moderately strewn with loose stones.
Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy
Date of upload: 6 August 2021
The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.
- What survives
- Recorded monument
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