E.CHRIST. · RATH

Rath

Belfast, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 4677
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 earthwork located in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It represents a form of enclosed settlement typical of the Iron Age, though such monuments may have origins extending into the Bronze Age or earlier periods. The site consists of an artificial bank and ditch arrangement forming a circular or sub-circular enclosure, a defensive configuration characteristic of raths found throughout Ireland. These monuments served as farmsteads and strongholds for local communities, and their presence in the Belfast area testifies to prehistoric settlement patterns in what is now the urban landscape of the city.

Rath is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 4677. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Rath?

Rath is a prehistoric earthwork located in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 4677.

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 4677.

What other scheduled monuments are near Rath?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Cranmore house. 17th century house (5.9 km), Dunmurry mound, mary mount. motte (7.1 km), Dunmurry fort. rath (7.2 km).

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