E.CHRIST. · RATH

Bivallate rath

Antrim, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 3827
Period
E.CHRIST.
Site type
RATH
Nation
Northern Ireland
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR)

Overview

History & significance

Bivallate rath is a bivallate ringfort situated in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, dating to the early Christian period. The monument consists of two concentric earthen banks with intervening ditches, a defensive arrangement characteristic of enclosed farmsteads constructed across Ireland during the early medieval centuries. Such raths served as fortified domestic and pastoral settlements for local farming families and their livestock, reflecting the territorial and social organisation of early Christian Irish society. The bivallate form suggests either a period of expansion or heightened concern for security during its occupation.

Bivallate rath is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 3827. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Bivallate rath?

Bivallate rath is a bivallate ringfort situated in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, dating to the early Christian period. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 3827.

What period does Bivallate rath date from?

Bivallate rath dates from the e.christ. period, and is classified as a rath. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.

Who is responsible for protecting Bivallate rath?

Bivallate rath is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Ni. The official designation reference is 3827.

What other scheduled monuments are near Bivallate rath?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Bivallate rath (5.8 km), Rath (6.4 km), Motte (6.9 km).

Aubrey Research

Generate a full report for this location

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any address in the UK — drawing on scheduled monument data, Domesday records, Roman heritage, PAS finds and medieval history to reveal the complete story of a landscape.

Research the area around Bivallate rath