E.CHRIST. · RATH

Rath

Banbridge, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 7407
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 Banbridge, County Down, is a prehistoric circular earthwork of Iron Age or Early Christian date. The monument comprises a roughly circular enclosure defined by an earthen bank and external ditch, a defensive or demarcating feature characteristic of raths that served as farmstead or settlement centres in early medieval Ireland. Such structures were typically occupied between the Iron Age and the medieval period, with many raths remaining in use throughout the Early Christian era. The site represents an important element of the archaeological landscape of County Down and contributes to understanding of settlement patterns and land use in the region during the pre-Norman period.

Rath is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 7407. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Rath?

Rath, located in Banbridge, County Down, is a prehistoric circular earthwork of Iron Age or Early Christian date. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 7407.

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 7407.

What other scheduled monuments are near Rath?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Cup-&-ring-marked standing stone (3.8 km), Carnew fort. rectangular enclosure (5.1 km), Rath - one of a rath pair with 027 (6.2 km).

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