Longstone Rath — Forenaghts Great

At the N end of a narrow, moderately steep-sided, N-S pasture ridge on the landscaped grounds of Furness House. A small burial cairn (KD019-23----) lies c. 65m to the SE. A large circular area (diam. 63m) is defined by an inner earthen bank (Wth 6-8m; av. H 2m) with almost opposing entrance gaps at ENE and W, and by an outer fosse. Slight traces of a second, outer bank were noted in 1972 (SMR file). The interior rises gently towards the centre where there is a very fine standing stone (KD019-022002-), beside which and a cist (KD019-022003-) was discovered. Visible on a 2006 aerial photograph (SMR file) with the enclosing bank partially denuded of sod cover, apparently by livestock. The monument is the subject of a Preservation Order (No.95). The occurrence of standing stones associated with enclosures is known elsewhere in County Kildare, including Punchestown (KD024-0099001- and KD024-0099002-) and Mullaghmast (KD036-010---- and KD036-017----). (Herity 2002, 23 (66); De Burg 1896, 315, 317, 324; Mayo, Earl of, 1899-1902, 57, 59; Synnott 1899-1902, 454, 466-8; Macalister/Praeger/Armstrong 1912-14, 288-295; Killanin and Duignan 1967, 384; Waddell 1970, 119; Weir 1980, 167) Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy Date of upload: 10 June 2011 This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 95/1940).