E.CHRIST. · RATH

Rath

Lisburn, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 6978
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 Lisburn, Northern Ireland, is a prehistoric earthwork consisting of a roughly circular or oval enclosure defined by a bank and external ditch. The monument dates to the Early Christian period, representing a form of domestic settlement or defended enclosure common in early medieval Ireland. Such raths served as the fortified homesteads of the Irish nobility and freemen, typically housing a single extended family or small community within their protective earthwork boundaries. The surviving earthwork at this location preserves physical evidence of early medieval settlement patterns in the Lisburn area, though the interior and surrounding landscape may have undergone considerable change since its original construction and use.

Rath is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 6978. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Rath?

Rath, located in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, is a prehistoric earthwork consisting of a roughly circular or oval enclosure defined by a bank and external ditch. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 6978.

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 6978.

What other scheduled monuments are near Rath?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Cashel (2.5 km), Counterscarp rath (2.9 km), Cup-marked stone (4.2 km).

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