E.CHRIST. · RATH

Rath

Banbridge, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 7855
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 Irish ringfort situated near Banbridge in County Down, Northern Ireland. The monument comprises a circular earthwork enclosed by one or more defensive banks and ditches, a settlement form characteristic of early medieval Ireland but with roots extending into the Iron Age and Bronze Age periods. Such raths served as fortified domestic and livestock enclosures for farming communities, and their distribution across the Irish landscape reflects centuries of continuous occupation and reuse. The earthwork remains a significant archaeological resource for understanding settlement patterns and social organization in pre-Norman Ulster.

Rath is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 7855. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Rath?

Rath is a prehistoric Irish ringfort situated near Banbridge in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 7855.

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 7855.

What other scheduled monuments are near Rath?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Standing stone (4.7 km), Big fort. rath & souterrain (5.2 km), Large platform enclosure (5.7 km).

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