The Rath

On the N slope of a ridge in a slightly raised area with commanding views except to S and SSW. A well-preserved circular rath (int. diam. 37.2 N-S; 37.5m E-W) defined by an impressive steep inner bank (int. H 2m at E to 2.5m at SW; ext. H 3.6m at E to 4.7m at SW; Wth 5.5m at N to 7.2m at E), a flat-bottomed waterlogged fosse (Wth 2m at SW to 5m at N) and an outer bank (int. H 1.4-1.8m; ext. H 0.8m; Wth 4-5m) surviving only along the W and from NW to NE. The inner bank is partly faced with stone internally and has entrance (Wth 1m) at NE with a causeway (Wth 5m) across the fosse. Other breaks occur in the inner bank, notably at NW. Mature trees grow on the outer edge of the internal bank. A later field wall is built on the line of the outer bank at NE for a short stretch. An Rath is a national monument in State care, no. 648. (Westropp 1901, 284; 1915, 249-50) The following images are attached: CL005-040----_01.jpg Highest portion of the inner bank at SW. CL005-040----_02.jpg Internal view of inner bank. CL005-040----_03.jpg View of inner bank with mature trees on external edge. CL005-040----_04.jpg View of flat-bottomed fosse. Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 27 May 2015

A well-preserved circular ringfort (rath) with an internal diameter of approximately 37.5 meters, likely dating to the early medieval period (c. 500–1000 AD), used as a defended homestead or farmstead. Local tradition may associate such sites with fairy folk or ancient druids, though specific folklore for this site is not recorded.