E.CHRIST. · RATH

Counterscarp rath

Cookstown, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 13107
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 small Iron Age or early medieval ringfort located near Cookstown in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. The monument consists of a circular or sub-circular earthwork with a defensive bank and ditch, typical of the rath type that served as fortified homesteads across Ireland during the pre-Christian and early Christian periods. Such sites are archaeological indicators of settlement hierarchy and social organisation in early Irish society, though this particular example has not been subject to extensive excavation that would provide precise dating or detailed functional evidence. The site remains visible as an earthwork monument and contributes to the distribution pattern of raths recorded across the Irish landscape.

Counterscarp rath is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 13107. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Counterscarp rath?

Counterscarp rath is a small Iron Age or early medieval ringfort located near Cookstown in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 13107.

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 13107.

What other scheduled monuments are near Counterscarp rath?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Birch hill. rath (4.3 km), Platform rath (4.3 km), Counterscarp rath (4.4 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 Counterscarp rath