E.CHRIST. · RATH

Rath

Ballymena, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 2152
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 a prehistoric Irish ringfort situated near Ballymena in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The monument consists of a circular or oval earthwork enclosed by one or more banks and ditches, a characteristic defensive settlement form of the early medieval period, though such structures have origins extending back to the late Bronze Age and Iron Age. The site represents an important example of domestic settlement archaeology from the medieval period in Ulster, when such raths served as the fortified residences of Irish chieftains and their families. The earthwork survives as an upstanding monument and remains of archaeological significance for understanding settlement patterns and social organisation in medieval Ireland.

Rath is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 2152. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Rath?

Rath is a prehistoric Irish ringfort situated near Ballymena in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 2152.

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 2152.

What other scheduled monuments are near Rath?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Counterscarp rath (2.4 km), Standing stone (3 km), Rath & souterrain (3.6 km).

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