Scheduled MonumentsNorthern IrelandNewtownabbeyRath, part of rath group (c.f. 051
E.CHRIST. · RATH

Rath, part of rath group (c.f. 051

Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 3637
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 or early medieval ring fort located in Newtownabbey, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The monument consists of a circular or oval earthwork comprising a bank and ditch, typical of the rath form that dominated settlement patterns across Ireland from the Iron Age through the medieval period. The site's precise dating remains uncertain without excavation, though raths of this type are generally attributed to the early Christian period, roughly between the fifth and twelfth centuries AD. Such enclosed homesteads served as defended domestic and agricultural centres for individual families or small communities, and their widespread distribution across the Irish landscape reflects the dispersed settlement hierarchy of early medieval society.

Rath, part of rath group (c.f. 051 is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 3637. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Rath, part of rath group (c.f. 051?

Rath is a prehistoric or early medieval ring fort located in Newtownabbey, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 3637.

What period does Rath, part of rath group (c.f. 051 date from?

Rath, part of rath group (c.f. 051 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, part of rath group (c.f. 051?

Rath, part of rath group (c.f. 051 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 3637.

What other scheduled monuments are near Rath, part of rath group (c.f. 051?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Court tomb (8.2 km), Standing stone (8.9 km), Barrow (8.9 km).

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