Rathealy Ringfort is a ringfort (rath) and National Monument located in County Kilkenny, Ireland.[1]
Ráth Éalaigh | |
  Shown within Ireland | |
| Alternative name | Stuaic of Rathealy |
|---|---|
| Location | Rathealy, Tullaroan, County Kilkenny, Ireland |
| Region | Nore Valley |
| Coordinates | 52°41′41″N 7°25′57″W / 52.694722°N 7.432500°W |
| Altitude | 247 m (810 ft) |
| Type | ringfort |
| Area | 0.8 ha (2.0 acres) |
| Diameter | 99 m (325 ft) |
| Height | 3 m (9.8 ft) |
| History | |
| Builder | Síol Elaigh |
| Material | earth |
| Founded | 6th–12th century |
| Periods | Early Christian Ireland |
| Associated with | Gaelic Irish |
| Site notes | |
| Public access | yes |
| Official name | Rathealy |
| Reference no. | 376 |
Location
editRathealy Ringfort is located on a hilltop 3.5 km (2.2 mi) north of Tullaroan.
History
editRathealy is believed to derive its name from Élothach mac Fáelchon, king of the Uí Cheinnselaig of South Leinster. There is a surrounding wall 3 m (9.8 ft) high and a ditch 6 m (20 ft) deep.[2] It also known as the Stuaic of Rathealy, the Irish word meaning "peak" or "spike". A standing stone nearby may be pre-Christian.[3]
Description
editRathealy Ringfort is a trivallate rath with a rectangular house, circular house and souterrain entrance clearly visible.[4]
References
edit- ^ "Historic Castles of County Kilkenny Ireland".
- ^ "The Schools' Collection » Tullaroan (B.)". Dúchas.ie. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
- ^ "Rathealy".
- ^ "The Early Development Of Irish Society". CUP Archive. 6 November 2008 – via Google Books.