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Lisnalinchy is a multivallate rath with an associated souterrain, located near Newtownabbey in County Antrim. The monument sits upon bedrock of Palaeogene extrusive rocks, comprising mafic lava and tuff laid down during intense volcanic activity in the early Tertiary period. This underlying geology of dark volcanic material shaped the landscape in which the early medieval inhabitants chose to establish their fort.
The rath itself follows the typical ringfort form of early Christian Ireland, with multiple concentric earthwork banks providing defence and status. The souterrain—a subterranean stone-lined passage—represents sophisticated engineering, designed for refuge during raids or for storage of valuables and provisions. Such underground chambers were characteristic features of high-status Irish settlements from the early medieval period.
The site is known locally by several names reflecting its long occupation: Lisnalinchy derives from the Irish, whilst Silentia Fort represents a later anglicisation. The monument's multiple names suggest its importance and continued recognition through centuries of settlement. Today, Lisnalinchy is protected as a scheduled monument by the Historic Environment Division under reference number 3648, ensuring preservation of this significant early medieval site.
Lisnalinchy, the fort of o'loingsech, silentia fort. multivallate rath and souterrain is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 3648. View the official record →
Lisnalinchy is a multivallate rath with an associated souterrain, located near Newtownabbey in County Antrim. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 3648.
Lisnalinchy, the fort of o'loingsech, silentia fort. multivallate rath and 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.
Lisnalinchy, the fort of o'loingsech, silentia fort. multivallate rath and 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 3648.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Dunanney fort, nancy's fort. raised rath (6.5 km), Rath (6.7 km), Lyles hill. neolithic palisaded settlement & late bronze age - iron age hilltop enclosure (7.1 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Lisnalinchy, the fort of o'loingsech, silentia fort. multivallate rath and 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.
Lisnalinchy, the fort of o'loingsech, silentia fort. multivallate rath and souterrain stands on Unnamed Extrusive Rocks, Palaeogene, bedrock that formed in the Paleogene. The rock here is mafic lava and mafic tuff.