Rathshanbally

On a ridge in undulating pastureland. Subcircular rath (34m NW-SE), in fair condition, defined by two banks and an intervening fosse. The inner bank survives all round but is overlain by a later field wall from N to E. The fosse and intermittent traces of the outer bank are visible except from N to E where the steep natural slope of the ridge provided adequate defence. A trackway cuts through the monument at WNW and ESE. According to McCaffrey (1952, 143-4, no. 14) a possible enclosure (GA095-128002-) lay immediately to the W. (Athy 1914, 138-9) Compiled by: Galway Archaeological Survey, UCG Date of upload: 9 April 2018

Rathshanbally, Rinville West is a subcircular early-medieval ringfort, likely dating to between the 5th and 10th centuries AD, situated on a ridge in pastoral countryside. While no specific folklore is recorded for this site, like many such forts in Ireland, it may have been associated with local legends of fairies or ancient inhabitants in folk tradition.