Rath Healy, Rathtoe, Co. Carlow

Rath Healy, Rathtoe, Co. Carlow

At Rath Healy in Rathtoe, County Carlow, the remains of what was once a rectangular enclosure offer a glimpse into Ireland's archaeological past.

Rath Healy, Rathtoe, Co. Carlow

The site first caught the attention of surveyors during the creation of the 1839 Ordnance Survey 6-inch map, which documented the southern side of the enclosure along with portions of its western and eastern boundaries. These features were originally defined by an earthen bank, a common defensive structure in early Irish settlements.

Today, visitors to the site will find the southern side of the enclosure still visible, though much diminished from its original form. It appears as a subtle ridge in the landscape, stretching approximately 50 metres in length but rising only about 10 centimetres above the surrounding ground level. This low profile makes it easy to miss without knowing what to look for, yet it represents centuries, if not millennia, of local history.



The information about this site comes from the Archaeological Inventory of County Carlow, first published by the Stationery Office in Dublin in 1993. Since then, ongoing research has helped refine our understanding of sites like Rath Healy, with updates reflecting new archaeological insights. Such earthwork enclosures, often called raths or ringforts, were typically used as fortified farmsteads during the early medieval period, though some may date back even further.

0.0/5

Good to Know

Tags

Visitor Notes

Review type for post source and places source type not found
Added by
Picture of IrishHistory.com
IrishHistory.com
IrishHistory.com is passionate about helping people discover and connect with the rich stories of their local communities.
Please use the form below to submit any photos you may have of Rath Healy, Rathtoe, Co. Carlow. We're happy to take any suggested edits you may have too. Please be advised it will take us some time to get to these submissions. Thank you.
Name
Email
Message
Upload images/documents
Maximum file size: 50 MB
If you'd like to add an image or a PDF please do it here.
Rathtoe, Co. Carlow
52.78722662, -6.80228341
52.78722662,-6.80228341
Rathtoe 
Castle Features 

Related Places