Hachured, 299 FT. OD — Na Gleannta Thuaidh

National Monument No. 10055. Internal diam. 25m N-S, 26.7m E-W. A bivallate rath situated on the lower SW slopes of Ballysitteragh mountain, with good clear views along the valley of the Milltown river. The subcircular interior, containing the remains of 2 or possibly 3 hut-sites, is enclosed by 2 earthen banks and an intervening fosse. The inner bank averages 3.8m in width and 2.8m in height above the base of the fosse. It is faced internally with well-preserved drystone-masonry which stands to a maximum height of 1.7m. The fosse is c. 4m wide. The outer bank is less substantial than the inner one. It varies from 1 to 2m in height above the fosse and from .2 to .9m above the external ground level. It is chiefly composed of earth, but sections of drystone revetment walling are preserved on both the inner and outer faces. A small, stony projection at S may simply be field clearance debris. The entrance gap at WNW is probably secondary. The original entrance faces SW. The gap through the inner bank is .65m wide and the drystone walling lining both sides is a maximum of .5m high. The gap through the outer bank is 2.2m wide but is somewhat confused by the field wall which runs up to its S side. The fosse in this area is very shallow and there is no clearly-defined causeway, but a single stone on edge may mark its S side. The NE portion of the interior is occupied by a large spread of stone collapse, possibly the remains of 2 hut-sites. One definite structure measures 2m x 2.4m internally and is enclosed by ruined walling up to .4m high. This appears to be too small to be a hut-site and could perhaps be the remains of a sheep-shelter constructed from the material of an earlier destroyed hut. The amount of collapse in this area suggests that there may have been a 2nd hut-site and that the huts may have been constructed on a platform similar to that at KE043-081----. A couple of stretches of low stone-facing may define the outer edge of this latter feature. A pathway between this area and the main entrance is paved with flags and partly lined on either side with stones set on edge. A hut-site located directly inside the bank at NW appears to have been rectangular in plan internally, but, where visible, the outer wall-face is curved. The remains are very collapsed and the wall-faces stand to a maximum height of only .25m. The above description is derived from J. Cuppage, ‘Corca Dhuibhne. Dingle Peninsula archaeological survey. Ballyferriter. Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne’ (1986), no. 445. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 7 August 2013