Ringfort (Rath), Cool More, Co. Donegal
On a hilltop overlooking Rossnowlagh Beach in County Donegal sits the remains of an ancient ringfort, known locally as a rath.
Ringfort (Rath), Cool More, Co. Donegal
This circular earthwork measures 27 metres across its interior and consists of an earthen bank surrounding what was once a defensive enclosure. The fosse, or defensive ditch that would have originally encircled the bank, has long since silted up, leaving only subtle traces in the landscape. Today, a modern field fence runs through the middle of the site, dividing this piece of Iron Age heritage into two sections.
The ringfort at Cool More represents one of thousands of similar structures scattered across the Irish countryside, most dating from the early medieval period between 500 and 1000 CE. These fortified farmsteads served as homes for prosperous farming families, with the circular bank and ditch providing both security and status. The elevated position of this particular rath, commanding views over Rossnowlagh Beach, would have offered its inhabitants both strategic advantage and control over the surrounding landscape.
Archaeological surveys have revealed intriguing details about this site’s original construction. Davies, during fieldwork in the area, noted traces of what appears to be an outer bank, suggesting the ringfort may have been more elaborate than it first appears. This double bank arrangement, whilst less common than single banked examples, indicates the site may have held particular importance or belonged to a family of considerable standing in the local community. The ringfort was formally recorded in the Archaeological Survey of County Donegal in 1983, ensuring its place in the county’s rich archaeological record.





