Rathnacourtin

In undulating pasture, located on a rise with very good views, including Lough Conn to E. Named ‘Rathnacourtia’ on the 1838 and 1922 OS 6-inch map, this rath consists of a raised oval area (19m E-W; 25m N–S) defined on the N half by an earthen bank (Wth 3.5m; int. H 0.4m; ext. H 0.85m), and elsewhere by a dilapidated inward-facing scarp. Stones protruding from the inner face of the bank may be remnants of facing or a kerb. The level NW half of the interior is at a higher level than the SE half; this appears to be the result of past quarrying away of soil from the S half of the interior. The scarp defining the S half appears therefore not to be a primary enclosing element but rather to result from later disturbance, and it is possible that the original plan of the rath was more circular than its present oval shape. There is an enclosure (MA038-060----) c. 175m to S. Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy Date of upload: 29 July 2019