Rathgall Hillfort

Rathgall, Rath Geal (the white or bright fort), or Ring of the Rath is a large multivallate hill fort near the town of Shillelagh.[1] Dating from the Bronze Age, it consists of three roughly concentric stone ramparts with a fourth masonry wall dating from the Medieval period at its centre.[2] Rathgall is a National Monument which is in state care.[3]

Rathgall Hill Fort
Rath Geal
Aerial view of the fort
LocationCounty Wicklow, Province of Leinster
TypeMultivallate hill fort
Width15 metres
Area7.5ha (18 acres)
History
Founded1200-900BC
PeriodsBronze Age
Site notes
Excavation dates1969
ConditionPartially preserved
OwnershipPublic
Public accessYes

Excavations led by Barry Raftery in the 1970s the site are only partial,[4] but yielded numerous artefacts including ceramic vessels, pot sherds and glass beads, which point to the middle to late Bronze Age activity on the site. A number of gold items have been found at the site also, as well as a burial site linked with later use of the site.[2] Evidence of metal working comes from casts for tools and weapons,[5] with burials pointing to a ritual element to the site beyond its agricultural and domestic use.[6]

There are numerous legends that are associated with the site including fairies and as a site of pilgrimage for childless couples.[7]

References
  1. Dowling, Simon. "Rathgall Hillfort, Co. Wicklow". Aerial Archaeology A birds-eye view of Irish archaeology. Retrieved 7 November 2014.
  2. The Heritage Council. "Significant Unpublished Irish Archaeological Excavations 1930 - 1997". The Heritage Council. The Heritage Council. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  3. National Monument Service. "National Monuments in State care". National Monument Service. National Monument Service. Archived from the original on 11 September 2014. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  4. Cultural Heritage Ireland. "The Late Bronze Age Hillfort at Rathgall, Co. Wicklow, near Tullow, Co. Carlow". Cultural Heritage Ireland. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  5. Raftery, Barry. "Rathgall Hillfort". Visit Wicklow. Wicklow County Tourism. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  6. Harding, Dennis (2012). Iron Age Hillforts in Britain and Beyond. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 116–117. ISBN 0191626104. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  7. Voices from the Dawn. "Ring of the Rath (Rathgall Hillfort)". Voices from the Dawn. Retrieved 8 November 2014.

Further reading
  • Becker, Katharina 2010. Rathgall, Co. Wicklow, Archaeology Ireland/Media House, Dublin
  • Raftery, B. 1970a The Rathgall Hillfort, Co. Wicklow, Antiquity 44. 51-54.
  • Raftery, B. 1970b A Decorated Strap-end from Rathgall, Co. Wicklow, Journal Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland. 100. 200-211.
  • Raftery, B. 1971 Rathgall, Co. Wicklow: 1970 excavations, Antiquity 45. 296-298.
  • Raftery, B. 1973 Rathgall: a late Bronze Age burial in Ireland, Antiquity. 47
  • Raftery, B. 1974 Rathgall, In Delaney (ed.) Excavations 1974: Summary Account of Archaeological Excavations in Ireland. Association of Young Irish Archaeologists, Ulster Archaeological Society and Group for the Study of Irish Historic Settlement. 40.
  • Raftery, B. 1975-76 Rathgall, In Delaney (ed.) Excavations 1975-76: Summary Account of Archaeological Excavations in Ireland. Association of Young Irish Archaeologists, Ulster Archaeological Society and Group for the Study of Irish Historic Settlement. 42.
  • Raftery, B. 1976 Rathgall and Irish Hillfort Problems, In D.W. Harding (ed.) Hillforts: Later Prehistoric Earthworks of Britain and Ireland, London: Academic Press. 339-357.
  • Raftery, B. 1981 Iron Age Burials in Ireland in D. O Corrain (ed.), Irish Antiquity, 173-204.
  • Waddell, J. 1998 The Prehistoric Archaeology of Ireland, Galway University Press. Galway. 270-273.
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