The midden, essentially a rubbish heap from centuries past, was found adjacent to a house within the circular stone enclosure. Its location near the north to northeast wall of the dwelling proved archaeologically complex; the ancient refuse had become thoroughly mixed with collapsed stonework over the centuries, making it difficult to determine the exact relationship between the midden and the house structure.

The contents of this ancient dump site tell a story of daily life spanning several centuries. The bulk of the material consisted of limpet and periwinkle shells, testament to the coastal diet of the inhabitants. Deeper layers revealed a more varied assemblage: animal bones, iron slag from metalworking activities, pottery fragments, two bone points likely used as tools or weapons, a small iron handle, pieces of an iron knife, and intriguingly, a fragment of tuyere or furnace lining that hints at on-site metalworking. This diverse collection suggests the midden accumulated over multiple periods of occupation.

Radiocarbon dating has helped establish a timeline for the site’s use. The primary phase of occupation appears to date to the 9th century, placing it firmly within Ireland’s early medieval period. However, shells from the upper layers of the midden yielded 11th-century dates, indicating the site remained in use or was reoccupied some two hundred years later. This extended chronology, combined with another midden discovered on the northwest side of the house, suggests Rinnaraw was home to successive generations who left behind these mundane yet revealing traces of their lives.