E.CHRIST. · RATH

Rath

Limavady, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 12599
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, situated in Limavady, County Londonderry, is a prehistoric Irish ringfort, a fortified residential enclosure characteristic of early medieval settlement patterns across Ireland. The monument consists of a raised circular or oval earthwork surrounded by one or more defensive banks and ditches, typical of raths constructed from the Iron Age through the medieval period. Such sites served as the defended homesteads of the Irish rural elite and their households, combining domestic, economic, and defensive functions within their defined perimeters. The Limavady rath represents an important example of the archaeological evidence for settlement hierarchy and territorial organisation in early historic Ulster.

Rath is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 12599. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Rath?

Rath, situated in Limavady, County Londonderry, is a prehistoric Irish ringfort, a fortified residential enclosure characteristic of early medieval settlement patterns across Ireland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 12599.

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 12599.

What other scheduled monuments are near Rath?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Stone circle/ remains of megalith (0.4 km), Five stone circles & alignments (1.5 km), Possible court tomb (1.9 km).

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