Rathbarran — Rathbarran

In undulating pasture, on a natural rise and densely covered with undergrowth and trees. The natural rise is utilised to form a high flat-topped circular platform (24.6m NW-SE) defined on top by an earthen bank (Wth 3m; int. H 0.5m; ext. H 4.8m) S-N and by a scarp N-S. A tumble of loose stones was noted on the external slope of the bank. The base of the platform is enclosed all round by a fosse (Wth 3m) with an external bank (Wth 5m; int. H 1.5m; ext. H c. 3.6m). A tumble of loose stones is evident on the internal and external slopes of this bank, most noticeably at NW. The interior is mostly level with a slight slope down to SE. A shallow depression (Wth 1.4m; D 0.15m) skirts the bank internally S-N. At NNE a sunken pathway (Wth 1.6m) through the outer bank leads to a series of steps, bordered on the W side by remnants of a low stone wall, which have been cut into the external slope of the platform. Another pathway approaches the barrow from the road to the E and curves up the slope of the hill to an eroded section of the outer bank at SE where a causeway (Wth 1.8m) crosses the fosse. A field boundary abuts the outer bank at WNW and another crosses the fosse at SSE. A large boulder (1.3m x 1.4m; H 0.75m) in the fosse at NNE is known locally as a mass-rock (SL025-071003-). A cist (SL025-071002-) containing an urn is said to have been found on the summit (Wood-Martin 1887-8, 270-72). 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