What is recorded here

Rathard is a circular stone and earth castle perched on a 157m ridge in County Limerick, built to watch the land below. Its wide causeway cuts through a deep ditch toward the south-east, inviting entry while the higher western bank suggests defenders valued that side more. The grassy interior remains level and quiet, but the shape still echoes the tension of a place made to be seen and hard to take.

National monument No. 555. On 157m spot height, affording excellent views all around. Raised circular shape area (diam. 22m) defined by an earth and stone bank (Wth 7.9m; int. H 0.2m) which is higher (ext. H 3.25m) to W-side and lower (ext. H 2.55m) to E, has gap (Wth 4m) at SSE. Intervening deep fosse (Wth 8.8m; D 0.4m) NE-SW has causeway (Wth 4m) at SSE. Outer bank (Wth 4m; int. H 0.7m; ext. H 0.3m) NE-SW has wide entrance to causeway at SSE. Interior grass covered and level. Monument enclosed by linear field boundary to S, W and N and open to a steep slope to E. Compiled by Alison McQueen and Vera O'Rahilly Date of upload: 9 June 2016

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.