What is recorded here

The fairy fort or earthen ringfort in Knockatotaun is in County Sligo, Ireland. It occupies undulating rough pasture near the base of a SE-facing slope at the S end of a ridge. A substantial earthen bank and external fosse enclose a slightly raised roughly circular area. The bank shows varying width and height across its circumference, while the fosse appears as a band of irises and denser vegetation in some sections.

In undulating rough pasture, near the base of a SE-facing slope at the S end of a ridge. A slightly raised roughly circular area (39.8m NNW-SSE; 41.9m ENE-WSW) enclosed by an earthen bank and external fosse. The bank is substantial (Wth 4.8m; int. H 1.3m; ext. H 0.65m) and slightly stepped externally NW-E, has a low internal lip but drops down 1.8m externally E-SW and is narrower (Wth 2m) with a more vertical external face SW-NW. A gap (Wth 2m) at SE and several other eroded areas were noted in the bank. At S a semicircular area has been scooped out of the external face of the bank. The fosse is substantial (Wth 4m; D 0.9m) NW-E, evident as a band (Wth 2m) of irises and denser vegetation E-SW and as a shallow depression (Wth 6m) SW-NW. The SE portion of the interior is raised to compensate for the hillslope though there is still a gentle slope down to SE. There is a possible hut site (SL025-104001-) in the NW quadrant. Some small quarry pits are adjacent to the rath at SE. Levelled field boundaries abut the bank at NW and SE. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Sligo' compiled by Ursula Egan, Elizabeth Byrne, Mary Sleeman with Sheila Ronan and Connie Murphy (Dublin Stationery Office, 2005). Date of upload: 18 January 2008

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