Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Annagh Hill

In pasture, utilising a natural elevation on the top of a ridge, close to the break of slope on the N side, where there are extensive views. This rath is not indicated on the 1838 OS 6-inch map; it is shown as oval hachured enclosure on the 1919 edition. Raised circular area (34m NNE−SSW) defined by a substantial bank, outside which it is enclosed by a fosse with an external bank. The inner bank (Wth 3.7m; int. H 0.8m; ext. H 1.3m) appears to be largely earthen but incorporates stones in parts, some of which may be remnants of an internal kerb or facing. It has a more pronounced external slope (H 2.5m) on the NW arc, enhanced by the natural fall of ground. The fosse (Wth c. 3m) is quite well defined and at W-NW takes the form of a terrace (Wth 3-3.5m). The outer bank is poorly preserved, traced mainly as a broad low rise (Wth c. 4m) and at W−NW as a scarp at the outer edge of the fosse/terrace. At SE−S the inner bank, fosse and external bank are truncated by a straight NE−SW field fence. There is also disturbance to the fosse and outer bank at W−NW, now largely concealed by dense overgrowth. At NE there is a gap (Wth 3m) in the inner bank, widened to allow tractor access, with a corresponding gap in the outer bank. At SE there is a similar gap (Wth 3m) in the inner bank, also giving tractor access, and a section of the outer bank has been levelled here. The interior is higher in the centre and W half, from where there is a gentle slope down to NE, E and SE. At N, adjacent to the inner face of the bank, there is a rough subrectangular (c. 4.5m N−S; c. 6m E−W) arrangement of boulders, of uncertain significance. The rath is thickly ringed by blackthorn and hawthorn bushes, and brambles., and a thicket of blackthorn obscures most of the W half of the interior. A relict field bank (Wth 1.5m; H 0.5m) defines a right angled area abutting the N side of the rath. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 25 November 2021