Rathglass

In pasture, located on a prominent rise in an area of undulating terrain. Ground gradually shelving away towards the River Deel which lies 120m to S and marks the townland boundary. There are good views to SE and W along the course of the river. This rath is named ‘Rathmore’ on the 1838 and 1922 OS 6-inch maps. Raised circular area (23.8m N–S; 24m E–W) defined by an earthen bank and enclosed by a fosse with an external bank. The inner bank (Wth 6.8m; int. H 1.1m; ext. 2.4m) has a broad internal slump, especially on the S half, which gives the interior a somewhat saucer-shaped profile. A rough kerb of stones is evident on the internal face at NE, and dry stone facing can also be seen on the external face on the south half of the rath. The fosse (Wth 4.4m) is evident as a broad, shallow depression. At SE–NE the external bank has been levelled to broad, low rise (Wth 6m); at NE–SE, where it was modified to serve as a field boundary, it survives as a bank (Wth c. 3m; int. H 1.3m; ext. H 1.2-1.4m) of earth and stone, with much field clearance stone heaped along it. The rath interior is relatively level, and is dotted with small, moss-covered heaps of field clearance stones. There is an entrance gap (Wth 2.2m) at ESE, with a causeway across the fosse. A corresponding gap in the external bank is no longer evident as this section of the bank is incorporated into a later field boundary. The inner bank is ringed with hawthorn, hazel and brambles. There is another rath (MA038-044001) 300m to W. Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy Date of upload: 26 July 2019