Rucklagh Fort — Coolcran (tirawley By., Kilmoylan Par.)

In undulating pasture, located on a rise overlooked to the E by a N–S ridge. There is a moated site (MA030-048----) c. 200m to SW. This rath, named ‘Rucklagh Fort’on the 1837 and 1930 OS 6-inch maps, consists of a raised circular area (diam. c. 32m N–S) defined by an earthen bank (W 5-6m; int. H 0.2m at N, 1m at SSE; ext. H 2.4m at N, 2m to SSE), enclosed by a fosse (W 3.5m) with an external bank (W 4.5m; int. H 0.8m at N,1.2m to SSW; ext. H 1.4m at N, 0.45m at SSW). The inner bank has a well-defined external slope, but for much of its circuit retains only a low internal lip. In parts, stones protrude at the base of the inner slope, but it is unclear if these are the remains of a kerb. The fosse can be traced around the entire circuit, although at NNE-ESE it is evident only as a slight depression. The external bank has been removed at NNE-ESE. A break (Wth 2m) in the inner bank at E may represent the original entrance. In the level interior, close to the bank at W, there is an oval hollow (c. 6m N-S; 4m E-W) with a few stones protrude from its; it is largely obscured by overgrowth and its significance is uncertain. At ESE-S the fosse has been incorporated into the line of an old road or laneway, with the outer bank modified to serve as a field fence. The laneway continues beyond the rath to NW, where it has largely been levelled, and to S, where it is flanked by field banks. Much of the interior, is covered by a dense thicket of blackthorn and brambles; the perimeter is ringed with ash trees and thorn bushes. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 16 April 2018