Scheduled MonumentsNorthern IrelandDownThe moat. raised rath
E.CHRIST. · RATH

The moat. raised rath

Down, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 6774
Period
E.CHRIST.
Site type
RATH
Nation
Northern Ireland
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR)

Overview

History & significance

The moat is a raised rath located in County Down, Northern Ireland, and represents an example of Early Christian ecclesiastical settlement dating from the medieval period. Raths of this type functioned as defended enclosures associated with religious communities, combining defensive earthwork characteristics with monastic or clerical occupation. The monument's raised profile, created through the accumulation of occupation layers and intentional construction, distinguishes it from simpler ring-fort forms and suggests sustained settlement activity. Such sites reflect the integration of Christian religious practice with the established defensive settlement tradition of early medieval Ireland, occupying a transitional phase between pagan and Christian land use patterns.

The moat. raised rath is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 6774. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is The moat. raised rath?

The moat is a raised rath located in County Down, Northern Ireland, and represents an example of Early Christian ecclesiastical settlement dating from the medieval period. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 6774.

What period does The moat. raised rath date from?

The moat. raised 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 The moat. raised rath?

The moat. raised 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 6774.

What other scheduled monuments are near The moat. raised rath?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Killygony old graveyard. graveyard (possibly killeen) with court tomb & cists (5.7 km), Bivallate rath (6.4 km), Rath (6.5 km).

Aubrey Research

Generate a full report for this location

Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any address in the UK — drawing on scheduled monument data, Domesday records, Roman heritage, PAS finds and medieval history to reveal the complete story of a landscape.

Research the area around The moat. raised rath