What is recorded here

Indicated is a circular earthen fort in County Mayo, Ireland, rising thirty metres across a pasture ridge with a view down a western stream valley. Its steep scarps, possible entrance ramp, and surrounding hawthorn suggest an old defended or ceremonial place, though later cutting, walling and quarrying have blurred the original shape. To stand inside is to feel both exposure and enclosure: open to the valley, yet bounded by a ring that has outlived the hands which last shaped it.

In pasture, located on a rise in undulating terrain, with good views along a stream valley to W. Overlooked by higher ground to SE Substantially raised circular area or platform (27.8 E−W; 30.7m N−S) defined by an earthen scarp (ext. H 2m at E, 2.5m at W). The scarp shows evidence of modification in relatively recent times: especially on the S arc, where it has been cut to the vertical and there are remnants of stone facing. A possible fosse in the form of a broad, flat gap or terrace (Wth c. 3-4m) intervenes between the scarp and a possible outer bank, which is evident as a scarp incorporated into/topped by a field wall. It is uncertain to what extent these features are original as they were incorporated into the route of a trackway, which is shown on the 1838 and 1930 the OS 6-inch maps. At SE the rath scarp has a gradual, ramp-like slope (Wth 2m), which may mark an original entrance. There is also a break (Wth 2m) at NW, which allows tractor access to the interior. The perimeter is ringed with hawthorn and hazel. The interior is grassy; in the S half there is large hollow, densely obscured by blackthorn and brambles –it appears to be the result of quarrying. There is a rath (MA072-068001-) 320m to NW Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 14 May 2021

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.