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Ringfort - rath

Hill of Uisneach

Uisneach

Ringfort, Barrow & Stone in Co. Offaly.

  • AccessNot confirmed
  • National MonumentIn State care
  • DateNot stated
  • Folklore1 quote
  • PhotoWanted
Kellybrook, Co. Westmeath53.48545, -7.56390
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Unofficial guide. Not the National Monuments Service, the OPW, Fáilte Ireland or the landowner. Disclaimer

At a glance

  • TypeRingfort - rath
  • Recorded sizediameter 29.8m ENE-WSW; 28m NNW-SSE
  • StatusNational Monument

What to look for

  • Bank and ditch
  • Entrance gap

Picked out from the Archaeological Survey description below.

Can you visit?

  • No source says it is open to the public.Most monuments in Ireland stand on private farmland.
  • Ask the landowner before crossing fields, close gates, leave the stones as you find them.Visiting responsibly
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History and description

National Monument No. 155. Described in 1976 as ‘a roughly circular area (diam. 29.8m ENE-WSW; 28m NNW-SSE) enclosed by a low earth and stone bank with trees growing on it.

Full archaeological record 210 words

National Monument No. 155. Described in 1976 as ‘a roughly circular area (diam. 29.8m ENE-WSW; 28m NNW-SSE) enclosed by a low earth and stone bank with trees growing on it. There is a stream and field boundary to the N. The bank has a slight inner crest on N-NE and is surrounded by a fosse , shallow but fairly wide (rock cut) on NE-E. On the SW and W the fosse is barely visible but here there is a slight indication of a low counterscarp outer bank. Probable entrance (original) gap (Wth 2.5-5m) on the E. Within the interior there is a considerable amount of stone most of which appears to be the natural limestone outcropping but there are traces though vague of a possible stone structure. A very large limestone slab is visible in the SW quadrant and beside and under this there is evidence of recent digging. The interior slopes slightly from E to W. Macalister suggests that this may be the ecclesiastical site mentioned in the legends but the evidence does not support this’ (SMR File 23/04/1976). Ordnance Survey Fair Plan map depicts a ‘fort’ and shows a small rectangular ruin marked in red ink just N of centre in the interior of the enclosure (SMR File).

Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Compiled by Caimin O'Brien · Updated 26 January 2016. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.

Folklore and traditions

The interior slopes slightly from E to W. Macalister suggests that this may be the ecclesiastical site mentioned in the legends but the evidence does not support this’ (SMR File 23/04/1976).
As recorded by the Archaeological Survey · a tradition, not a fact
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      • Westmeath WayLong Distance Waymarked Way · 28.4 km · nearest point 7.2 km
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