Fairy fort / stone ringfort in Rathosey

In stony pasture, on a level area at the base of a S-facing slope. An oval area (27.5m NNE-SSW; 32m ENE-WSW) defined S-NW by a sod-covered heap of stones (Wth 4.4m; int. H 0.2m; ext. H 0.5m), NW-NE by a pile of stones (Wth 5.6m; int. H 1.4m) accumulated against a natural rising slope and NE-S by a drystone wall (Wth 2.5m; H 1.2m). The external basal courses of the drystone wall are large irregular limestone blocks and are topped by smaller stones. The inner rim of the wall (Wth 0.8m) is higher than the rest and is incorporated into a field boundary. In the interior are two rectangular stony platforms built against the inner edge of the enclosing element at NE and W. The NE platform (5m E-W; 7m N-S; H 0.4m) is edged with large stones and the W platform (4.5m N-S; 4m E-W) is sod-covered and has a slightly raised rim (Wth 1.5m; ext. H 0.4m). A small irregular field-clearance cairn lies against the enclosing element at NW. Part of a complex of cashels (SL025-015001-; SL025-015002-; SL025-015004-; SL025-015007-; SL025-015012-), enclosures (SL025-015003-; SL025-015011-), a possible enclosure (SL025-015005-), a rath (SL025-015006-) and a hut site (SL025-015010-). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Sligo' compiled by Ursula Egan, Elizabeth Byrne, Mary Sleeman with Sheila Ronan and Connie Murphy (Dublin Stationery Office, 2005). Date of upload: 18 January 2008