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Pair of counterscarp raths is a ringfort complex located in Lisburn, Northern Ireland. These earthen fortifications represent a characteristic early Christian settlement type, comprising two defensive enclosures positioned in counterscarp arrangement—a configuration in which the outer bank of one rath faces the outer bank of its neighbour. The monument sits upon bedrock of mafic lava and tuff dating to the Palaeogene period, volcanic rocks that underlie much of the local landscape and would have influenced both the settlement's location and the construction techniques employed by its inhabitants.
The raths themselves consist of raised earthen banks defining enclosed spaces, a defensive design typical of early Christian rural settlements in Ireland. The counterscarp pairing suggests a deliberate relationship between the two enclosures, potentially indicating extended family occupation or differentiated domestic and pastoral functions within a single settlement complex. The arrangement maximises defensive advantage whilst maintaining proximity between the paired units.
The monument is protected by the Historic Environment Division under reference 4655, recognising its archaeological significance as evidence of early Christian settlement patterns and land use in the Lisburn area. The site contributes to understanding the distribution and character of ringfort complexes across the Irish landscape during this formative historical period.
Pair of counterscarp raths (part of rath complex) is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 4655. View the official record →
Pair of counterscarp raths is a ringfort complex located in Lisburn, Northern Ireland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 4655.
Pair of counterscarp raths (part of rath complex) dates from the e.christ. period, and is classified as a rath pair. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Pair of counterscarp raths (part of rath complex) 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 4655.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Earthwork enclosure (4.9 km), Castle robin. c17th fortified house built near motte & bailey (7.2 km), Counterscarp rath (7.5 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Pair of counterscarp raths (part of rath complex)'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.
Pair of counterscarp raths (part of rath complex) stands on Unnamed Extrusive Rocks, Palaeogene, bedrock that formed in the Paleogene. The rock here is mafic lava and mafic tuff.