Scheduled MonumentsNorthern IrelandAntrimBivallate rath & souterrain
E.CHRIST. · RATH & SOUTERRAIN

Bivallate rath & souterrain

Antrim, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 2781
Period
E.CHRIST.
Site type
RATH & SOUTERRAIN
Nation
Northern Ireland
Boundary

Scheduled area

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

Overview

History & significance

Bivallate rath and souterrain is an Early Christian enclosed settlement and underground passage structure located in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The site comprises a bivallate (double-banked) earthwork characteristic of early medieval Irish domestic settlements, dating to the Early Christian period, typically between the fifth and twelfth centuries. The associated souterrain represents a common feature of such raths, functioning as a subterranean chamber that likely served storage, refuge, or ritual purposes within the settlement hierarchy. This monument type reflects the settlement patterns and defensive strategies of Early Christian Ireland, when such fortified homesteads formed the basis of Gaelic society.

Bivallate rath & souterrain is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 2781. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Bivallate rath & souterrain?

Bivallate rath and souterrain is an Early Christian enclosed settlement and underground passage structure located in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 2781.

What period does Bivallate rath & souterrain date from?

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

Who is responsible for protecting Bivallate rath & souterrain?

Bivallate rath & souterrain 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 2781.

What other scheduled monuments are near Bivallate rath & souterrain?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Kilmakee stone circle. cairn ('stone circle') (6.1 km), Mound - raised rath? (6.5 km), Raised rath (7 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 & souterrain