Hilltop enclosure in Raferagh

Located on a rise at the summit of a WNW-ESE drumlin ridge. This is a sub-rectangular or D-shaped grass-covered area (dims c. 50m WNW-ESE at S to 71m WNW-ESE at N; 56m NNE-SSW) defined by scarps (at W: Wth 4.2m; 2.8m; at N: Wth 7.5m; H 5m) on all sides except at the E which is the natural approach and where there is an earthen bank (Wth of base 4.4-5.7m; int. H 0.3-0.4m; ext. H 1.2-1.7m) but no visible fosse. There is an entrance (Wth of base 4.2m) towards the S end of the bank. In the interior a grass-covered earthen bank (Wth 1.9-2.2m; int. H 0.2-0.4m; ext. H 0.4-0.6m) with a stone facing creates an inner D-shaped enclosure (dims 56m WNW-ESE at N; 34m NNE-SSW) backing on to the perimeter at N and E. This inner bank has an entrance (Wth 2.5m) at SW and another (Wth of base 2.3m) towards its E end. There were two hut-site inside the inner enclosure, and three in the outer but some of these have been damaged since 1967. There is also a platform inside the entrance to the hilltop enclosure on the N side. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Monaghan' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1986). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of revision: 17 July 2007