This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2015) |
Ráth Chnoc Réisc | |
Location | Mountfortescue, County Meath, Ireland |
---|---|
Coordinates | 53°45′43″N 6°34′34″W / 53.762048°N 6.576048°W |
Type | Ringditch, Tumulus, Hillfort |
Area | 2.12 hectares (5.2 acres) (ringfort) |
Diameter | 164 metres (179 yd) (ringfort) |
History | |
Material | Earth |
Founded | AD 500–1000 |
Periods | Middle Ages |
Designation | National Monument |
Mountfortescue Hillfort is a National Monument consisting of a hillfort with tumuli located in County Meath, Ireland.[1]
Mountfortescue Hillfort is located about 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) north of Slane Castle and overlooks the Delvin River, a Boyne tributary.
A hillfort is a circular area surrounding a hilltop tumulus (barrow mound), defined by an earthen bank with an external ditch.[2]
The Ordnance Survey records a circular enclosure (about 180 yards in diameter) with a mound at the Mountfortescue site.[1] The archaeological monument consists of Mountfortescue Ringditch, Tumulus & Hillfort.[3] The barrow cemetery at Slieve Breagh and excavation of a Neolithic settlement suggest the area had been a scene of activity throughout prehistory.[4]