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Raised Rath is an early Christian rath situated in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, constructed upon bedrock composed of Palaeogene extrusive rocks—mafic lavas and tuffs formed during the volcanic activity of the Paleogene period. This geological foundation of dark, dense igneous material would have presented particular challenges to those constructing the earthwork, shaping how the monument's builders selected and prepared the site for habitation.
Raths of this type were farmstead enclosures characteristic of early medieval Ireland, typically comprising a circular or oval rampart surrounding a domestic settlement. The raised configuration of this example suggests deliberate elevation of the internal living area, a construction choice that provided practical advantages in terms of drainage and defence whilst making efficient use of the underlying volcanic bedrock.
The monument is protected by the Historic Environment Division under reference 3512, securing its preservation for future study. Its survival in the Antrim landscape provides archaeological evidence of early Christian settlement patterns and construction practices adapted to the region's distinctive geological conditions.
Raised rath is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 3512. View the official record →
Raised Rath is an early Christian rath situated in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, constructed upon bedrock composed of Palaeogene extrusive rocks—mafic lavas and tuffs formed during the volcanic activity of the Paleogene period. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 3512.
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.
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 3512.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Bivallate rath (7.6 km), Conjoined raths (7.7 km), Camlin, camelyn. medieval church & graveyard (8 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of 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.
Raised rath stands on Unnamed Extrusive Rocks, Palaeogene, bedrock that formed in the Paleogene. The rock here is mafic lava and mafic tuff.