E.CHRIST. · RATH

Counterscarp rath

Fermanagh, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 9249
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 ringfort situated in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, belonging to the early Christian period of Irish archaeological heritage. The monument comprises an earthen defensive enclosure characteristic of raths, which served as fortified homesteads for the Gaelic aristocracy and their households during the early medieval period. The site's name derives from the counterscarp, the outer bank or slope of the defensive earthwork that characterises such fortifications. As a recorded early Christian rath, the monument represents the settlement patterns and social organisation of early medieval Ulster and contributes to understanding the distribution and typology of ringforts across the region.

Counterscarp rath is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 9249. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Counterscarp rath?

Counterscarp rath is a ringfort situated in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, belonging to the early Christian period of Irish archaeological heritage. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 9249.

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 9249.

What other scheduled monuments are near Counterscarp rath?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Earthwork (2.7 km), Giants grave. wedge tomb (3 km), Counterscarp rath (3.2 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