E.CHRIST. · RATH

Rath

Down, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 7480
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 ringfort located in County Down, Northern Ireland. The site consists of an earthen circular enclosure, characteristic of Iron Age and early medieval defensive settlements in Ireland, though the precise dating of this particular example requires archaeological investigation. Raths of this type typically served as domestic and defensive strongholds for elite families or small communities, with the enclosing bank and ditch providing protection for dwellings and livestock. The monument represents an important category of archaeological evidence for understanding settlement patterns and social organisation in prehistoric and early medieval Ulster.

Rath is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 7480. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Rath?

Rath is a prehistoric ringfort located in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 7480.

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 7480.

What other scheduled monuments are near Rath?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Magheradrool fort. counterscarp rath (3.1 km), Counterscarp rath (3.6 km), Counterscarp rath (3.6 km).

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