- Rathmoyle, Co. Laois, Laois

In October 1953 human remains were discovered during the bulldozing of a ringfort at Rathmoyle near Abbeyleix, Co. Laois.¹⁵⁷ The remains were discovered in one of the outer banks of a trivallate ringfort. The bones, representing the remains of at least two skeletons, one of which lay extended, were very fragmentary. The site was visited by Ellen Prendergast. No grave-goods or structural stones were noticed in the vicinity of the burial, although a horse tooth was later recovered from the site. The ringfort covered an area of approximately 23 ⁄4 acres, and the banks varied in height from 2.4m (external bank) to 0.9m (internal bank).A short report on the human remains provided by Mr D.M. Davies identified at least two individuals—one a female considered to be in old age, as the teeth were all ground down on their outer edges. The long bones present also suggested that one of the individuals was about 1.62m in height. One cattle bone was also noted.

157. Parish of Abbeyleix, barony of Cullenagh. OS 6in. sheet 24. SMR LA024-029001—. IGR 245525, 186025.