E.CHRIST. · RATH

Rath

Cookstown, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 15115
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 in Cookstown is a prehistoric ringfort, a type of enclosed settlement typical of Iron Age and early medieval Ireland. The monument consists of a circular or oval earthwork defined by one or more banks and ditches, representing a domestic and defensive structure that would have housed a family or small community. Such raths were widely constructed across Ireland from the pre-Christian period through the medieval centuries, serving as centres of local authority and residence for minor lords or farming families. The specific dating of this individual site would require archaeological investigation, though the morphology and surviving earthwork elements are consistent with Iron Age or early medieval occupation.

Rath is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 15115. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Rath?

Rath in Cookstown is a prehistoric ringfort, a type of enclosed settlement typical of Iron Age and early medieval Ireland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 15115.

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 15115.

What other scheduled monuments are near Rath?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Bronze age settlement & ring ditch (2.8 km), Giant's grave. wedge tomb (3 km), Counterscarp rath (3.5 km).

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