Scheduled MonumentsNorthern IrelandLisburnDunmurry fort. rath
E.CHRIST. · RATH

Dunmurry fort. rath

Lisburn, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 4920
Period
E.CHRIST.
Site type
RATH
Nation
Northern Ireland
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR)

Overview

History & significance

Dunmurry Fort is a rath located near Lisburn in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, dating to the early Christian period. The monument survives as a circular earthwork with defensive banks and ditches characteristic of early medieval Irish ringforts, structures that served as defended homesteads for farming communities and minor nobility. Such raths were widely constructed from the Iron Age through the medieval period, with this example representing settlement patterns typical of early Christian Ulster. The site's archaeological significance lies in its preservation of this domestic fortification type, which provides evidence of early medieval settlement hierarchy and land use in the region.

Dunmurry fort. rath is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 4920. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Dunmurry fort. rath?

Dunmurry Fort is a rath located near Lisburn in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, dating to the early Christian period. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 4920.

What period does Dunmurry fort. rath date from?

Dunmurry fort. 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 Dunmurry fort. rath?

Dunmurry fort. 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 4920.

What other scheduled monuments are near Dunmurry fort. rath?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Counterscarp rath (3.4 km), The court. plantation house & bawn (4.8 km), Lock 12, the island. canal lock, part of the lagan navigation - c.f. ihr 2680 (4.8 km).

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