Discover Alone, back to main map

Indicated

Fairy fort / earthen ringfort

What is recorded here

Indicated is a fairy fort in County Mayo, Ireland, where a broad earthen bank still crosses a narrow pasture field on a rise overlooking low ground to the west. Its eastern gap is framed by a standing slab and low stone kerbs, while a faint round shadow inside may mark the lost footing of a house. The fort belongs to a tight cluster of raths near the townland edge, as if several households, memories or claims had been set down together on the same ridge.
In pasture, prominently sited on a rise, with with good views, especially to SW–W over a lowlying ground. A stream at the base of the slope 20m to N has been infilled. The rath is in a cluster of raths (MA071-049----; MA071-050----; MA071-052001-) all located within 250m of each other close to the townland boundary at the W end of the townland, and is surrounded by s broader cluster of raths within a radius of c. 500m. Roughly circular Raised area (39.8m E–W; 37.8m N–S) defined by an earthen bank (Wth 3.2m at S, 4m at N; int. H 0.4m at S, 0.2m at N; ext. H 0.9m at S, 2.2m at N). The rath spans the width of a narrow rectangular field and the external face of the bank SW–NNW is incorporated into the NNE–SSW field fence bordering the W side of the field. At NNW–NE the bank drops to a terrace or berm (Wth 5.4m), which becomes progressively narrower and lower from N–NE and peters out at E; it may preserve the remains of a fosse/outer bank. The terrace is defined on its outer edge by a steep scarp (H 2.6m) which appears to be cut into the natural ridge slope. The rath entrance may have been at the E where there is a gap (Wth 2.1m) in the bank. The S terminal of the gap is flanked by an upright slab, and both terminals retain a low stone kerb on their inner edge which continues along the inner face of the bank for several meters to NE and SE. A slightly raised, sub-circular feature (13.4m N–S; 14m E–W) located to NE of centre in the interior may be the foundations of a house (MA071-111001-). Immediately to NNW is a depression (5m WNW; 2.5m NNE; D 0.4m) with a shallower extension for 6m to WNW to a break (Wth 3m) in the bank. Grass cover, with a few hawthorn trees around the perimeter. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 24 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

Places near here

Add to this placeAdd a picture Comment or add a tip

Explore 1,118,481 places