Rathbreenan

In pasture, located on a rise, with extensive views, in an area of rolling grassland. This rath is named ‘Rathbreenan’ on the 1838 and 1922 OS 6-inch maps. It consists of a raised subcircular area (28m N–S; 29m E–W) defined by a stony earthen bank, and enclosed at N and SE by remnants of a fosse and external bank, outside which at NW there is a possible third bank with intervening fosse. The inner bank (Wth 4.6m; int. H 0.35-0.4m; ext. H 1.8m, at N) is best preserved at W–NW and N–NE, but elsewhere is largely reduced to a scarp (ext. H 1.4m at S). At NE there is a discrete arc (L c. 6m) of an external bank (Wth 2m; int. H 0.35m; ext. H 0.35m), with a gap or fosse (Wth 2m) separating it from the inner bank. Another discrete portion of this external bank is evident, engulfed in gorse, at SE, the line of which continues as a curving field fence at S–W, which then straightens and extends to N beyond the rath. The possible third bank can be traced at NW–NNE as a low curving rise (Wth c. 5m; int. H 0.3m; ext. H 2m, at NW) with a pronounced external slope; a gap/possible fosse (3.5m) intervenes between it and the second bank at N. The interior of the rath is level. There is a low area/gap (Wth 7m) in the inner bank at NW and another (Wth 6m) at E, but it is unclear if either represents an original entrance. There is an enclosure (MA038-171----) 120m to E. Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy Date of upload: 17 July 2019

Rathbreenan, Ballinlabaun is a likely early-medieval ringfort, characterized by a raised subcircular earthwork with a diameter of approximately 28–29 meters. The name "Rathbreenan" may derive from "rath of the brook" or "rath of the small hill," and while no specific folklore is recorded, such sites were often associated with fairy legends or ancient habitation in Irish tradition.