2017:072 - Ballymascanlan, Dundalk, Louth

A programme of monitoring followed a testing and geophysics programme (see 2016:127) adjacent to Recorded Monument LH004-073 (‘enclosure’). The monitoring exposed an undated east-west running ditch (previously identified as possible archaeology during testing and geophysics) that is now interpreted as a post-medieval field boundary. No early medieval features were identified.

The monument was surveyed with a view to updating the RMP file. The 2017 survey has re-appraised this monument as a raised rath (Stout 1997, 16). Stout has identified that 15% of all ringforts in Co. Louth have raised platforms with an average height above ground level of 1.43m. The enclosure at Ballymascanlan measures 1.37m above ground level on the best preserved northern side. The diameter of the enclosure is 44m, which would be above average for a univallate ringfort (Stout 1997, 16). This is unsurprising as raised raths have been linked to higher status. O’Sullivan et al. (2008, 67) suggests that the relative rarity of raised raths corresponds to the proportion of multivallate ringforts, suggesting they acted as household settlements for prosperous farmers and nobility (bóaire and mruigfher). The distinction between raised raths and platform raths is impossible to make without an archaeological excavation (O'Sullivan et al. 2008, 53). However, Lynn’s definition of a raised rath as constructed from accumulated material and soil as opposed to a platform rath, which scarps a pre-existing knoll or hill, suggest the Ballymascanlan monument is the former type. The Ballymascanlan raised rath is best interpreted as a prosperous farmstead dating from the mid-eight to mid-tenth century. Excavations at similar sites, for example at Rathmullen, Co. Down, produced imported pottery such as E-ware, copper alloy metalworking and brooches. These are high status finds for an early medieval settlement (Lynn, cited in O'Sullivan et al. 2008, 69). Radiocarbon dates from similar sites have shown that these consistently date to the end of the early medieval period, which is later than the more common early medieval settlement types (Kerr 2007, 99 cited in O’Sullivan et al. 2008, 60).

During the survey elements of the stone facing surrounding the enclosure were identified. However, it is unclear that this is an original feature. It may be a later addition, built to stop erosion of the raised platform, or it may have been contemporary with the construction of the raised platform. This facing is certainly not a cashel wall as the stonework does not appear to be freestanding. It is most likely that this facing was built against the material used to create the raised platform within, and thus probably dates to c. 750-950 AD.

References:

O'Sullivan, A., McCormick, F., Kerr, T. & Harney, L. 2008 Early Medieval Ireland, Excavations 1930-2004 EMAP Report 2.1 UCD.

Stout, Matthew, 1997 The Irish Ringfort, Four Courts Press.

Archaeology Plan, 32 Fitzwilliam Place Dublin 2