E.CHRIST. · RATH

Counterscarp rath

Lisburn, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 4973
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 Early Christian period earthwork monument located near Lisburn in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The site consists of a defended enclosure with a characteristic rath configuration, featuring a ditch and bank system typical of Early Christian domestic settlements and farmsteads in Ireland. Such raths functioned as the strongholds of the Gaelic and Anglo-Norman landholding classes and would have housed a family and their retainers within their fortified boundaries. The monument dates to the Early Christian period, a significant era in Irish settlement archaeology when such enclosed settlements proliferated across the Irish landscape as the primary form of aristocratic and high-status domestic occupation.

Counterscarp rath is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 4973. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Counterscarp rath?

Counterscarp rath is an Early Christian period earthwork monument located near Lisburn in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 4973.

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 4973.

What other scheduled monuments are near Counterscarp rath?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Lisburn castle, castle gardens, lisnagarvey. castle later artillery fort (site of) & gate (2.8 km), Barrow (2.9 km), Lock 12, the island. canal lock, part of the lagan navigation - c.f. ihr 2680 (3 km).

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