Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Lounaghan

In pasture, on a N-facing slope. This rath is the most westerly of two conjoined raths (see KE094-010----). An oval raised area (28m E-W; 23.5m N-S) is defined by two earthen banks with an intervening fosse and the remains of an external fosse. The inner bank (Wth 4.55m; int. H 0.2m; ext. H 2.1m) is evident SW-ESE, with a scarp ESE-SW. The internal bank height is very low along the N arc. The intervening fosse (Wth 2.5m) is evident all round. The outer bank (Wth 3.85-10.6m; H 0.15-0.95m) is evident SE-NE with a shallow external fosse (Wth 1.6m; H 0.3m) SE-SW. A gap (Wth c. 2.5m) in the inner bank at NE may be the original entrance. A recent gap (Wth c. 3m) and a causeway across the intervening fosse occur at NW. The level interior is in pasture. There is a sharp drop in ground level on the S side of the rath. The enclosing elements are largely obscured by dense overgrowth, especially along the S arc. The intervening fosse at E is shared with the adjoining rath (KE094-010----). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Kerry. Volume I: South-West Kerry' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 30 May 2011