Why this matters
A local fairy fort (ringfort/rath) associated with the early medieval monastic site of Lorrha, likely dating to the 7th–10th century. The site is linked to St. Ruadhán, a 6th-century founder of the monastery, and is surrounded by Christian relics including a 11th-century church, high crosses, and a holy well, reflecting both monastic and folk traditions.
Indicated — Lorrha is recorded as Ecclesiastical enclosure in Tipperary. Within the enclosure are an eleventh century church (TN004-010008-) dedicated to St. Ruadhán who founded the monastery in the sixth century, the remains of two high crosses (TN004-010009-/010-), a holy well (TN004-010007-), a twelfth-century motte (TN004-010012-) and a fifteenth-century Augustinian priory (TN004-010006-). St. Ruadhán died in 584 and was referred to as the 'lamp of Lothra', his feastday was held on the 15th of April when the 'cuckoo began to call' (Ó Riain 2011, 541-2).
Who made it and when
The saved account records: Within the enclosure are an eleventh century church (TN004-010008-) dedicated to St. Ruadhán who founded the monastery in the sixth century, the remains of two high crosses (TN004-010009-/010-), a holy well (TN004-010007-), a twelfth-century motte (TN004-010012-) and a fifteenth-century Augustinian priory (TN004-010006-).
How it was made and used
The saved account records: Further S there are low wall-footings of what may have been a third building but now survives as a roughly L-shaped earth and stone bank.
What was found
The saved account records: St. Ruadhán died in 584 and was referred to as the 'lamp of Lothra', his feastday was held on the 15th of April when the 'cuckoo began to call' (Ó Riain 2011, 541-2).
What remains
The saved account records: Inside the enclosure there is possible evidence of a D-shaped enclosure defined by the curve of the modern roadway which may have intersected with a linear earthwork running across the centre of the enclosure on an E-W axis.
Why it mattered
Indicated — Lorrha matters because the source ties ecclesiastical enclosure to this exact landscape and preserves evidence that a bare map name loses. The saved account adds: The Dominican friary (TN004-010001-) is the only ecclesiastical building located outside the large ecclesiastical enclosure, while the motte is situated on top of the enclosing bank to the E.
History checked 15 August 2026 against the named sources below.
The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.
