E.CHRIST. · RATH

Counterscarp rath

Cookstown, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 15059
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 an Iron Age or Early Christian earthwork located near Cookstown in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. The monument consists of a defensive circular or oval enclosure defined by a bank and ditch, characteristic of Irish raths of the medieval period, though the site may have earlier origins. Such enclosed homesteads served as the fortified residences of local chieftains and their families, functioning as centres of agricultural and social organisation. The earthwork survives as an upstanding archaeological feature and remains significant as evidence of settlement patterns and territorial organisation in early medieval Ulster.

Counterscarp rath is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 15059. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Counterscarp rath?

Counterscarp rath is an Iron Age or Early Christian earthwork located near Cookstown in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 15059.

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 15059.

What other scheduled monuments are near Counterscarp rath?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Standing stone (3 km), Crannog (5.6 km), Stewartstown castle. castle & village (5.7 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 Counterscarp rath