E.CHRIST. · RATH

Rath

Magherafelt, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 12362
Period
E.CHRIST.
Site type
RATH
Nation
Northern Ireland
Boundary

Scheduled area

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

Overview

History & significance

E.CHRIST. RATH in Magherafelt, County Londonderry, is a ringfort of Early Christian date. The monument consists of a circular or oval earthwork defined by one or more banks and ditches, a settlement form characteristic of early medieval Ireland from approximately the fifth to twelfth centuries. Such raths served as defended homesteads for families of considerable status and typically enclosed domestic structures and ancillary buildings within their circuit. The site's location in the Magherafelt area places it within a region rich in early medieval settlement archaeology, though detailed records of excavation or structural remains specific to this example are not universally documented in accessible sources.

Rath is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 12362. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Rath?

E.CHRIST. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 12362.

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 12362.

What other scheduled monuments are near Rath?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Giant's grave. wedge tomb (2.8 km), Tamney cromlech. stone circle or cairn (3.4 km), Counterscarp rath (3.7 km).

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