© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR)
McDonald's Fort is a rath and adjoining earthworks situated in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The monument represents an Early Christian enclosed settlement, a common settlement type across Ireland dating from approximately the fifth to twelfth centuries. The rath comprises a circular or oval earthen bank, typically serving defensive and symbolic functions whilst demarcating the domestic space of a high-status household. The adjoining earthworks extend the fortified area, suggesting either expansion of the original settlement or additional functional zones associated with the primary residence.
The site lies upon Palaeogene extrusive rocks—mafic lavas and tuffs—which form part of the distinctive volcanic geology of County Antrim. This bedrock geology has shaped the landscape and soils available to Early Christian communities in the region, influencing settlement location and the agricultural potential of surrounding lands. The underlying volcanic substrate contrasts markedly with softer Mesozoic strata elsewhere in Ulster, creating localised areas of elevated and well-drained terrain favourable for permanent settlement.
McDonald's Fort is protected as a monument of archaeological and historical significance by the Historic Environment Division under reference 3442. The site preserves evidence of Early Christian settlement patterns, territorial organisation and domestic life in medieval Ulster. Such earthwork raths, though often reduced by agricultural activity and urban development, remain important sources for understanding the social hierarchy, settlement strategies and landscape use of Early Christian Irish society.
Mcdonald's fort. rath & adjoining earthworks is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 3442. View the official record →
McDonald's Fort is a rath and adjoining earthworks situated in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 3442.
Mcdonald's fort. rath & adjoining earthworks 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.
Mcdonald's fort. rath & adjoining earthworks 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 3442.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Dunhin. motte and bailey (0.6 km), Shane's castle (ruins). tower-house & later buildings (2.3 km), Mound - motte? (4.7 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Mcdonald's fort. rath & adjoining earthworks'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.
Mcdonald's fort. rath & adjoining earthworks stands on Unnamed Extrusive Rocks, Palaeogene, bedrock that formed in the Paleogene. The rock here is mafic lava and mafic tuff.