Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Loughmain

Located on a south-facing slope, down from the crest of a ridge which rises to the NNE, is a sub-circular enclosure. There are restricted views upslope to the NNE, broad views to Knockbrack hill at the E where some of the barrows (DU004-01207--) in the barrow cemetery are visible, very extensive views S to the Dublin mountains and somewhat restricted aspect along the ridge to the W. The cropmark was first identified by the landowner, Mr. Francis Macken, from his tractor as he applied fertilizer in a field of pasture in July 2018. This field has been known to the landowners as the kiln field. The cropmark was observed as a broad ring of additional darker grass growth set against a background of stunted lighter-shaded grass during the dry summer of June to July 2018. With the assistance of his nephew Mr. Warren Macken, a drone survey was commissioned from (Drone Services Ireland) which highlighted the monument and identified several other features in the same field (DU004-075---- cropmarks). The enclosure is sub-circular (dims 44m E-W; 43m N-S ) with squared corners at the N, E and S. It measures 44m (E-W) internally to the inner edge of the fosse which is 2.8m wide. The fosse terminates sharply in linear terminals at the ESE with the entrance causeway measuring 3.8m in width. On the basis of the setting, scale and form this cropmark has been interpreted as a ringfort - rath. Within the interior at the eastern side of the monument a rectangular shaped crop-mark is traceable. This measures approximately 15m in overall length E-W and is 5m N-S. There are significant other cropmarks (DU004-075----) in the field. These comprise multiple ring-ditches and square and linear features some of which may relate to the ringfort, others not. Compiled by: Margaret Keane Updated on: 17 December 2018