Scheduled MonumentsNorthern IrelandDownBlackwoods fort. counterscarp rath
E.CHRIST. · RATH

Blackwoods fort. counterscarp rath

Down, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 7967
Period
E.CHRIST.
Site type
RATH
Nation
Northern Ireland
Boundary

Scheduled area

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

Overview

History & significance

Blackwoods Fort is a counterscarp rath located in County Down, Northern Ireland, representing a form of Early Christian-period ringfort defensive architecture. The monument consists of an outer bank and ditch configuration characteristic of counterscarp raths, a variant of the standard Irish rath type that adds an external fortification to the primary enclosure. Dating to the Early Christian period, it reflects the settlement and territorial organisation patterns of early medieval Ireland, when such enclosed homesteads served as the residences of local elites and their households. The site remains an important example of this settlement type within the archaeological record of Ulster.

Blackwoods fort. counterscarp rath is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 7967. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Blackwoods fort. counterscarp rath?

Blackwoods Fort is a counterscarp rath located in County Down, Northern Ireland, representing a form of Early Christian-period ringfort defensive architecture. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 7967.

What period does Blackwoods fort. counterscarp rath date from?

Blackwoods fort. counterscarp 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 Blackwoods fort. counterscarp rath?

Blackwoods fort. counterscarp 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 7967.

What other scheduled monuments are near Blackwoods fort. counterscarp rath?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Motte (5.5 km), Raised rath (5.7 km), Lismahon. raised rath reused as motte (6.4 km).

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