E.CHRIST. · RATH

Bivallate rath

Lisburn, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 4507
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 Iron Age or Early Christian ringfort located near Lisburn in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The monument consists of a small circular enclosure defined by two concentric banks and intervening ditches, a defensive configuration characteristic of raths constructed during the later prehistoric and early medieval periods. Such bivallate examples are less common than their univallate counterparts and suggest either prolonged occupation with successive phases of fortification, or higher status settlement warranting enhanced defensive works. The site remains an important example of domestic fortified settlement from the Irish midlatitude landscape during the transition between pagan and Christian periods.

Bivallate rath is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 4507. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Bivallate rath?

Bivallate rath is a Iron Age or Early Christian ringfort located near Lisburn in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 4507.

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 4507.

What other scheduled monuments are near Bivallate rath?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Giant's grave. megalithic tomb (5.4 km), Earthwork enclosure (5.5 km), Bivallate rath (6.3 km).

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