E.CHRIST. · RATH

Rath

Coleraine, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 12357
Period
E.CHRIST.
Site type
RATH
Nation
Northern Ireland
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR)

Overview

History & significance

Rath is an Early Christian ringfort situated near Coleraine in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The monument consists of a small circular earthwork enclosure typical of defended farmsteads that flourished in Ireland during the Early Christian period, roughly from the fifth to the twelfth centuries. Such raths served as the fortified residences of farming communities and occasionally of minor nobility, their defensive earthen banks and ditches providing protection for both inhabitants and livestock. The site represents the archaeological heritage of early medieval settlement patterns in Ulster and demonstrates the domestic and defensive strategies employed by rural populations in Early Christian Ireland.

Rath is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 12357. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Rath?

Rath is an Early Christian ringfort situated near Coleraine in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 12357.

What period does Rath date from?

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.

Who is responsible for protecting Rath?

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 12357.

What other scheduled monuments are near Rath?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Rath (0.1 km), Lismore. rath (0.8 km), Dwarf's grave, slaght averty. cairn (1.2 km).

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