© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR)
Dunanney Fort is a raised rath situated in Newtownabbey, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. A rath represents an enclosed settlement characteristic of early Christian Ireland, typically comprising a circular or oval earthwork with internal banks. The monument is constructed upon bedrock of the Hibernian Greensands Formation and Ulster White Limestone Formation, Late Cretaceous deposits of chalk and sandstone that underlie this part of the Newtownabbey landscape. This geological foundation would have influenced both the construction method and the drainage properties of the site.
The raised aspect of this rath distinguishes it from level examples, suggesting either deliberate elevation during construction or natural topography that was incorporated into the fort's design. Such elevated positions offered practical advantages for settlement, including improved drainage and enhanced visibility across surrounding territory. Dating to the early Christian period, the fort represents the settlement patterns and social organisation of post-Roman Ireland.
Dunanney Fort is protected as a monument of archaeological significance by the Historic Environment Division under reference 4375, recognising its importance in understanding early medieval Irish settlement and land use.
Dunanney fort, nancy's fort. raised rath is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 4375. View the official record →
Dunanney Fort is a raised rath situated in Newtownabbey, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 4375.
Dunanney fort, nancy's fort. raised 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.
Dunanney fort, nancy's fort. raised 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 4375.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Twin slipways, ihr no. 10486 (7.2 km), Clarendon dock (northern). graving dock (7.4 km), Clarendon dock (southerly), ritchies dock. graving dock (7.4 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Dunanney fort, nancy's fort. raised 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.
Dunanney fort, nancy's fort. raised rath stands on Hibernian Greensands Formation And Ulster White Limestone Formation (Undifferentiated), bedrock that formed in the Late Cretaceous. The rock here is chalk and sandstone.