E.CHRIST. · RATH

Rath

Castlereagh, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 6492
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 an Early Christian ringfort situated in Castlereagh, Northern Ireland. The monument consists of a small circular earthwork enclosure typical of defended farmsteads constructed during the Early Christian period in Ireland. Such raths served as residential and agricultural complexes for farming families of modest status, with the circular bank and ditch providing both defensive capability and stock management. The site represents an important archaeological record of Early Christian settlement patterns and domestic life in Ulster during the early medieval centuries.

Rath is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 6492. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Rath?

Rath is an Early Christian ringfort situated in Castlereagh, Northern Ireland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 6492.

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 6492.

What other scheduled monuments are near Rath?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Rath (1.3 km), Barrow (1.9 km), Rath (2.5 km).

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