Rathmweel — Newtown (tirawley By.)

In pasture located on a low narrow N–S ridge, which provides very good views of the surrounding lowlying terrain, with the NE shores of Lough Conn c. 400m to W. This rath, named ‘Rathmweel’ on the 1838 and 1930 OS 6-inch maps, consists of a slightly raised circular area (c. 35m) enclosed by three banks with two intervening fosses. The innermost bank (Wth 4.5m; int. H 1m; ext. H 1.75m, at SW) has a thin capping of small stones in parts, and the external slope drops steeply into the fosse (Wth 3.3m). The middle/second bank (Wth 2.9m; int. H 0.75m; ext. H 0.7m) appears less substantial, lower and more eroded than the other banks. The outermost/second fosse (Wth 2.9m) is well defined. The outermost/third bank (Wth 4.5m, 1.9m on top; int. H 1.9m; ext. H 1.5-1.7m) is adapted to serve as a field boundary at WNW–NE. There are gaps and low areas in the banks at ESE and at NW, now largely obscured by overgrowth; the location of the original entrance is uncertain. The enclosing banks are thickly ringed with hazel; the interior obscured by an impenetrable thicket of brambles and thorn bushes. There is a rath (MA039-061) located 100m to W, a rath (MAA039-039) 250m to N, a possible rath (MA039-066----) 470m to E, a rath (MA039-063) 155m to S, and a church (MA039064001-) 450m to SE. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 25 March 2020