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Counterscarp rath is a early medieval earthwork enclosure located near Cookstown in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. The monument consists of a defended circular or oval homestead, typical of the period from the 5th to 10th centuries AD, when such raths served as the residences of prominent families and their followers. The site's defensive character is evident in its counterscarp—an outer ditch running parallel to the main rampart—which would have added substantially to the difficulty of assault. The underlying geology, comprising Tyrone Group strata of limestone, mudstone and sandstone formed in the Visean period, provided a solid foundation for construction and would have influenced both the ditch's depth and the character of soil available for rampart building.
The rath occupies a position within the wider landscape of early medieval settlement in Tyrone, an area rich in such monuments. Its survival to the present day, now protected by the Historic Environment Division under reference 13107, reflects the substantial nature of these earthworks and their continued visibility in the modern topography.
Counterscarp rath is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 13107. View the official record →
Counterscarp rath is a early medieval earthwork enclosure located near Cookstown in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 13107.
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.
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.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Birch hill. rath (4.3 km), Platform rath (4.3 km), Counterscarp rath (4.4 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Counterscarp rath's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Counterscarp rath stands on Tyrone Group, bedrock that formed in the Visean. The rock here is limestone, mudstone, sandstone and siltstone, with subordinate chert, coal and conglomerate.