E.CHRIST. · RATH

Counterscarp rath

Magherafelt, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 12894
Period
E.CHRIST.
Site type
RATH
Nation
Northern Ireland
Boundary

Scheduled area

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

Overview

History & significance

Counterscarp rath is a Early Christian ringfort situated in Magherafelt, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The monument comprises a small circular earthwork enclosure typical of defended farmsteads of the Early Christian period, featuring the characteristic defensive bank or banks that define this class of settlement. Such raths served as residential and agricultural centres for farming communities and their livestock during the Early Christian centuries. The site represents a common form of rural settlement organisation in early medieval Ireland, and its preservation contributes to understanding the distribution and character of Early Christian domestic settlement patterns in the north of Ireland.

Counterscarp rath is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 12894. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Counterscarp rath?

Counterscarp rath is a Early Christian ringfort situated in Magherafelt, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 12894.

What period does Counterscarp rath date from?

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 Counterscarp rath?

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 12894.

What other scheduled monuments are near Counterscarp rath?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Barrow (0.6 km), Rath (2 km), Knockcloghrim windmill. windmill (3.3 km).

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