E.CHRIST. · RATH

Rath

Antrim, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 4037
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, located in Antrim, Northern Ireland, is an Early Christian ringfort of the type commonly found throughout Ireland from the fifth century onwards. The site comprises a circular or oval earthwork defined by one or more banks and ditches, a defensive enclosure typical of high-status settlement during the early medieval period. Such raths served as fortified farmsteads and were occupied by both secular lords and ecclesiastical communities during the Early Christian era. The monument represents an important example of settlement archaeology from post-Roman Ireland and contributes to understanding the distribution and character of Early Christian habitation in the north of Ireland.

Rath is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 4037. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Rath?

Rath, located in Antrim, Northern Ireland, is an Early Christian ringfort of the type commonly found throughout Ireland from the fifth century onwards. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 4037.

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 4037.

What other scheduled monuments are near Rath?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Donald's mound. mound - burial mound? (7.4 km), Platform rath (part of rath complex) (7.9 km), Pair of counterscarp raths (part of rath complex) (7.9 km).

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