What is recorded here

Concentric enclosure in Dalystown stood on the summit of a prominent hill, marking the land before modern boundaries existed. Two rings of earth and ditch encircled a narrow space where people may have gathered, watched the horizon, or kept what mattered close. Distance and repetition gave the circle its shape, while the hill gave it visibility. Memory has worn the rings shallow, but the intention remains written in the land.

Situated on the summit of a locally prominent hill, called 'Violet Hill (OS 1836) or Dalystown Hill (OS 1912). The ‘old fort’ is noted in a land sale of 1815 (Ellison 1967, 18) and it is depicted on the 1836 and 1912 editions of the OS 6-inch map. This was described in 1970 (SMR file) as a circular area (diam. 21m WNW-ESE), of which only the N part survived, defined by an earthen bank (at NNE: Wth of base 4.3m; int. H 0.2m; ext. H 1.9m) and outer fosse (at NNE: Wth of top 5.3m; Wth of base 1.7m; ext. D 0.3m) WNW-N-ESE. The fosse was separated by a berm (at NNE: Wth 11m; at E: Wth 23m) from an outer bank (at NNE: Wth of base 7.4m; int. H 0.3m; ext. H 1.3m) that only survived NNW-E. An entrance through either bank was not recognised. The visible profile of the monument had been removed by 1995 (OSAP). Rath (ME041-009----) is c. 200m to the ENE. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of revision: 9 August 2019

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