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Counterscarp rath and possible souterrain is an early Christian ringfort located in Newry and Mourne, Northern Ireland. The monument comprises a circular earthwork with a distinctive counterscarp—an outer bank lying beyond the main defensive ditch—a characteristic feature of raths constructed during the early medieval period. The site sits upon Late Silurian to Early Devonian igneous bedrock of felsic composition, which would have presented particular challenges for excavation and building work, shaping how the earthwork was constructed across this geologically demanding landscape.
The possible souterrain, an underground stone-lined passage system, represents a feature commonly associated with raths of this period, though its presence at this location requires archaeological confirmation. Such subterranean structures served multiple purposes, from storage and refuge to ritual functions, and their construction demanded skilled labour and considerable effort.
The monument is protected by the Historic Environment Division under reference 8302, acknowledging its significance as a surviving example of early medieval settlement archaeology in the region. Raths of this type, typically dating between the 5th and 10th centuries, represent the domestic and defensive centres of Irish and Irish-influenced communities during the early Christian period.
Counterscarp rath & possible souterrain is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 8302. View the official record →
Counterscarp rath and possible souterrain is an early Christian ringfort located in Newry and Mourne, Northern Ireland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 8302.
Counterscarp rath & possible souterrain dates from the e.christ. period, and is classified as a rath & souterrain. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Counterscarp rath & possible souterrain 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 8302.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including The gray stone. standing stone (2.3 km), Kilchow, kilcoo, kilcudua, kilua. church & graveyard (2.6 km), Counterscarp rath (2.6 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Counterscarp rath & possible souterrain'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 & possible souterrain stands on Unnamed Igneous Intrusion, Late Silurian To Early Devonian, bedrock that formed in the Early Devonian. The rock here is felsic-rock.