Indicated — Dysart (moyashel & Magheradernon By.)

Possible ringfort situated on NE facing slope of low natural hillock in undulating countryside with good views to N and E but limited view to S and W. Present remains consist of a large sub-rectangular shaped enclosure defined by a low bank of earth and stones with traces of a shallow external fosse. The enclosing bank of the enclosure has been removed by the modern road from NW to N. A gap (Wth 4m) in the bank at NE may be the result of livestock disturbance or could be the remains of an original entrance gap which has been eroded by livestock. The interior of the ringfort rises in the centre following the slope of the natural hillock on which it is situated. There has been no attempt to create a level interior and there are faint traces of cultivation ridges across the interior. On the 1837 ed. OS 6-inch the monument is depicted as a polygonal-shaped enclosure with present road running NE-SW intersecting the enclosing bank of the monument at N. The large size, lack of clearly entrance feature, poorly defined enclosing feature and the sub-rectangular shape of the monument suggests that this is not a typical ringfort and that it may be the remains of another monument type which is not clear. Alternatively the low enclosing bank and the lack of a level interior along with the remains of an extensive field system to the N, E and SE which is visible on Bing maps aerial photographs (see attached photos) may suggest that this is a post-medieval feature such as a small field or paddock associated with agricultural practices of post-1700 date. The low-lying flat land to the N, E and SE appears to have been reclaimed in the post-medieval period with linear field drainage ditches and small fields visible on Bing Maps aerial photographs. It is possible that the large enclosure may have formed part of this extensive field system. This monument was inspected in 1978 and described as follows: 'This is a large ringfort (int. dims. 57m NE-SW; 41m NW-SE) almost rectangular in shape with wide well rounded corners. The long axis runs NE-SW. The SW and SE sides are quite straight. The NW and NE sides are now disfigured by the roadside bank which cuts into this side of the ringfort. The ringfort is outlined by the remains of a wide low bank of earth and stones. At N and E this bank is set on a low natural scarp. Outside the scarp is a ledge beyond which the ground falls away. This ledge represents the remains of a shallow fosse and a low counterscarp bank beyond it. The fosse is best preserved on the northern side. There is no trace of a fosse on the southern and western sides. The interior is fairly regular with a gentle rise towards the centre and old cultivation ridges running N-S through it. This earthwork is on a gentle north facing slope overlooked by a low rise to the south. On a slight natural rise, surrounded by gently undulating fertile meadow and pasture land. No measurements were taken and the monument was impossible to examine due to the dense cover of vegetation’ (SMR File 1978). An earlier site inspection carried out in 1971 described the monument as follows: ‘A large sub-rectangular enclosure with a general slope from SW-NE bounded by a steep scarp with remains of an earthen bank on its upper edge and with remains of a fosse and of a counterscarp bank at its foot. The interior which is slightly uneven, rises appreciably from the perimeter towards the centre. From WNW-NW-N a modern roadside fence replaces the perimeter of the rath. The inner bank is best preserved and quite substantial from S-SW-WSW, elsewhere the inner bank is denuded down almost to the interior. The shallow fosse is visible from NE-E-S-SSW. The outer bank is visible from ENE-E-SSE. It is not clear if the outer bank is an original feature of the rath. A bank of similar profile which forms part of an extensive field system, older than he present one, joins the outer rath bank at its SSE. Another part of the field system contact the outer edge of the fosse on the ENE and the counterscarp bank is disturbed there. A gap (Wth 3.5m) in the scarp on the NE may represent the entrance but it is not very convincing as such. It looks as if it is due to cattle disturbance. The interior has traces of NNE-SSW cultivation ridges. Three very small mounds of grass-covered stones near the centre could have been deposited there during cultivation. The rath is on a slight natural rise on gently undulating land of good pasture. There are remains of an old extensive field system of banks, scarps and fosses to the NW and SE of the rath. From the two points at which the field system contacts the rath it is impossible to determine now what chronological relationship it has with the rath. There is a good view to the lake on the E' (SMR file 1971). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 11 March 2014