[Ringfort near Bantry]

Sketch plan of roughly circular ringfort or rath, with four gaps in the bank, placed symmetrically. This site cannot be identified with certainty. However, its dimensions and location overlooking Bantry suggest that it may be the now largely erased ringfort recorded at Seafield, behind Bantry House. This monument is described as ‘visible as shadow site from air’.<p><div style="padding-left: 2em; text-indent: -2em;"><p>Source: </p><p><em>Archaeological Inventory of Co. Cork, Vol. I</em> (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1992), record no. 1868.</p> </div>

Inscribed in Image

Caption outside of boundaries of image – N<sup>o</sup>. III.
Text within boundaries of image – 200 Feet

Image Details

Genre	Scientific or Technical illustration
Technique	Wash drawings
Subject(s)	Antiquities and archaeological sites, Forts and fortifications
Geographical Location	Bantry – Town or city – Location is approximate. Cork – County Munster – Province
Keyword(s)	Archaeological sites, Ringforts
Colour	Handcoloured
Dimensions	24 cm x 37.8 cm
Published / created	1810

Bibliographical Details

Travel Account	Sketch South of Ireland
Note	Anon
Print or manuscript	Manuscript
Location of image in copy	p. 11
Source copy	National Library of Ireland MS 672
Alternative source This is a link to a digital copy hosted by an external website.	http://catalogue.nli.ie/Record/vtls000524924#page/1/mode/1up
Permalink	https://ttce.universityofgalway.ie/irelandillustrated/view/image/ii_image_1359561957
Rights	Courtesy of the National Library of Ireland

Related text from travel account

I cannot help taking notice of a singular species of Work, or Entrenchment, very frequently met with in travelling over Ireland. The Natives call them Raths, and suppose them to be constructed by the Danes, or Ostmen. Indeed the same are to be found in England, as well as Scotland, where they are also thought to be the work of the same people. They are always circular, occupying some advantageous height. None of those I examined were above two hundred feet diameter, or about six hundred feet in circumference, so that probably they were intended as small Posts, to cover Detachments of their Army, or perhaps to secure Depots of provision. Had they been the Sites of Castles, or Strong-Holds, some remains of masonry would be still visible, but I never could observe the smallest vestige of Stone, or Lime. / […] There is something very particular in the construction of this Rath, having no less than four entrances. It occupys [sic] a very bold situation, above the Town of Bantry, having a full view of the Bay, Islands &c. Indeed there could not be a more favorable spot for a Modern Fort, when it is considered that no place is more obnoxious to the descent of an Enemy. [pp. 1-2]