Rathardan — Ballysakeery

In undulating pasture, located on a low knoll rising from a NW–SE ridge, and giving good views of the surrounding undulating grassland and the estuary of the River Moy to E. At the base of the ridge slopes, to NW and SE, there are wettish areas cut through by field drains, with a stream at SE–E. This rath is named ‘Rathardan’ on the 1838 and 1929 OS 6-inch maps. It consists of a raised circular area (26.4m E–W; 24.6m N–S) defined on the S arc by remnants of a bank (Wth c. 3.9m; int. H 0.45m; ext. H 1.8m, at S), reduced elsewhere around the circuit to a stony earthen scarp. The bank/scarp has a pronounced external slope for much of its circuit, enhanced by the natural slope of the knoll on which the rath is sited; at NW–NE the scarp is lower and less distinct. There is a break (Wth 2m) in the scarp at NNW, and another gap/eroded area (Wth 1.5-2m) at SE, but it is unclear if either indicates an original entrance. In the interior there is a slightly raised sub-circular area (8-10m E–W; 11-11.5m N–S). It is defined on its perimeter at N-E and S by a scarp, but its limits are less distinct at W. On the SE side, a gap (Wth 2m) opens into a roughly circular hollow (diam. c. 4m), located off-centre to ESE within the rise. The significance of this feature is uncertain: It may be the remains of a structure contemporary with the rath, but the hollow may simply be the result of relatively recent disturbance/digging. Gorse and blackthorn encroach on the S half of the rath perimeter. There is a rath (MA022-071) c. 300m to SE, and another rath (MA022-056) is visible c. 450m to NE. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 3 May 2019