Fairy fort / earthen ringfort in Rahard

Located at the E-facing crest of a slope and at the headwaters of a small E-W stream. This is a raised circular and grass-covered platform (diam. 24.5m ENE-SW; 22m N-S) defined by a slight bank or wall (int. H 0.3m) at the top of a scarp (H 2.7m at S), which is stone-faced in places at the top, and terraced in two steps at N (H 4.9m). The scarp is scrub-covered, and faced with stone at the bottom N-E. It is surrounded by a complete outer fosse (Wth of base 1-2m; ext. D 0.6m at N to 0.9m at S), with a small outer bank (at N: Wth of base 5m; ext. H 0.9m) NNW-N-ESE. The entrance (Wth of base 3m) and causeway (Wth of top 5.3m; H 0.65m), both of which have probably been widened, are at SW. A rectangular house site, visible as a sunken area (dims 7m E-W; 3.7m N-S), abuts the inner face of the inner bank at N and is defined by low earthen banks (Wth c. 3-4m; H 0.3m) with an entrance (Wth 0.95m) towards the W end of the S wall. There is a low mound (diam. of base 5m; H 0.4m) surrounded by a slight ditch or fosse (Wth of base 1m; ext. D 0.2m) at the centre of the rath platform and a relict field bank crosses the summit ENE-WSW just S of the mound and extends across the rectangular enclosure attached to the SW. This raised rath, which could be described as a motte, is at the NE angle of a rectangular grass-covered platform (dims c. 40-70m ENE-WSW; c. 70m NNW-SSE) defined by scarps and fosses. This could serve as an annexe to the raised rath or as a bailey, and the enclosure (ME009-035----) is c. 60m to the WSW. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of revision: 31 October 2018 Amended: 15 December 2022