This ancient ringfort, or rath as it’s known locally, was first spotted from above by researchers examining aerial photographs, revealing what centuries of farming had nearly erased from the landscape.

The site measures approximately 80 metres across; a substantial defensive homestead by any standard. What makes it particularly intriguing is the evidence of two internal divisions in the southeast quadrant, suggesting this wasn’t just a simple farmstead but possibly a more complex settlement with distinct areas for different activities. Though no surface traces remain visible today, the aerial photographs clearly show the ghostly outline of the rath’s circular bank, along with traces of an old field system that once adjoined it, hinting at the agricultural practices of its inhabitants.

The choice of location speaks volumes about the people who built it. Situated on prime agricultural land with gentle, rolling terrain, this would have been an ideal spot for a prosperous farming family during the early medieval period. The rath would have provided both security and status, its earthen banks offering protection whilst proclaiming the wealth and importance of those who lived within. Today, though the earth has reclaimed most physical traces, this invisible monument remains an important piece of Donegal’s archaeological puzzle, documented in the county’s comprehensive archaeological survey compiled in 1983.