Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Aughavinna

In hilly pastureland with wide views to the N and S but overlooked by higher ground to the NE, E and SW. Conjoined with a rath (CL008-075001-) to the S. Hachured on the 1897 OS 25-inch plan and the 1920 ed. of the OS 6-inch map. Listed as 'Enclosure' in the RMP (1996). This subcircular rath (c. 56.5m N-S; c. 45m E-W) comprises a level interior space (36.5m E-W; 35.5m N-S) defined by a bank (Wth at base 5.3m, narrowing to 1.9m at top; int. H 0.2m; ext. H 0.75-1.55m) and an external fosse (max. Wth 4.2m at top, narrowing to max. 1.9m at base), to the N of which are remains of two further banks (middle bank: Wth 3.6m; int. H 1.4m; ext. H c. 0.15m; outer bank: Wth 1.9m; H 0.15m) with an intervening fosse (Wth 2m). There is a wide and poorly defined gap in the inner bank at the E-ESE, which may have been an entrance. At the S the inner bank conjoins with the outer bank of the abutting rath (CL008-075001-). Several modern cattle gaps run through the bank at WSW-NNW, and one at the NNE. The fosse outside this bank is traceable at NNW-SSE. At NW-NE it is steep-sided and flat-based, but its depth diminishes towards the SSE, while at SW-NNW it exists only as a berm. The middle and outer banks survive only at NNW-NE. It is possible that the outer bank was part of a later field boundary. An E-W running field bank crosses the S part of the interior, as well as the enclosing elements. The following image has been uploaded: CL008-075002-_01.jpg Aerial view from SE (ASI photo) Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Conn Herriott Date of upload: 29 November 2022