E.CHRIST. · RATH

Rath

Dungannon, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 15447
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 Dungannon is a prehistoric ring fort, a class of defended domestic settlement characteristic of early medieval Ireland. The monument comprises a roughly circular earthwork defined by a bank and ditch, representing the typical morphology of Irish raths constructed during the early Christian period and earlier. Such fortified enclosures served as the residences of local lords and their households, functioning as centres of both domestic and territorial authority. The site's presence in the Dungannon landscape reflects the dispersed pattern of settlement and landholding that characterised early medieval Ulster.

Rath is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 15447. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Rath?

Rath in Dungannon is a prehistoric ring fort, a class of defended domestic settlement characteristic of early medieval Ireland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 15447.

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 15447.

What other scheduled monuments are near Rath?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Rath reused as tree ring (5.5 km), Wedge tomb (5.8 km), Aghintain castle, aughentaine castle. c17th fortified house & bawn (6.4 km).

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