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Ballymoney Rath is a prehistoric motte and bailey monument situated in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The earthwork comprises a substantial raised mound typical of early medieval fortified residences, constructed upon bedrock composed of Palaeogene extrusive rocks formed from ancient mafic lava and tuff. This distinctive geological foundation of volcanic origin would have provided a stable base for the construction and maintenance of the defensive earthworks.
The site's archaeological significance is evidenced by two urn burials discovered at the location, indicating prehistoric settlement and ritual activity predating or contemporary with the mound's construction. The combination of motte-and-bailey earthworks with Bronze Age funerary deposits suggests occupation spanning multiple periods, reflecting the monument's importance as a territorial focal point across centuries.
The site is protected as a scheduled monument under Historic Environment Division reference 1395, reflecting its importance to the archaeological and historical record of North Antrim. The earthwork's surviving form provides evidence of medieval settlement patterns and defensive strategies in the region, whilst the associated burials contribute to understanding prehistoric land use and social practices in this landscape.
Rath?, motte and bailey & 2 urn burials is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 1395. View the official record →
Ballymoney Rath is a prehistoric motte and bailey monument situated in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 1395.
Rath?, motte and bailey & 2 urn burials dates from the prehistoric period, and is classified as a motte & bailey. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Rath?, motte and bailey & 2 urn burials 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 1395.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Raised rath (0.9 km), Souterrain (1.9 km), Kill old graveyard, kill graveyard. graveyard (1.9 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Rath?, motte and bailey & 2 urn burials'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.
Rath?, motte and bailey & 2 urn burials stands on Unnamed Extrusive Rocks, Palaeogene, bedrock that formed in the Paleogene. The rock here is mafic lava and mafic tuff.