Rathealy Ringfort is a ringfort (rath) and National Monument located in County Kilkenny, Ireland.[1]

Rathealy Ringfort
Ráth Éalaigh
Rathealy Ringfort is located in Ireland
Rathealy Ringfort
Shown within Ireland
Alternative nameStuaic of Rathealy
LocationRathealy, Tullaroan, County Kilkenny, Ireland
RegionNore Valley
Coordinates52°41′41″N 7°25′57″W / 52.694722°N 7.432500°W / 52.694722; -7.432500
Altitude247 m (810 ft)
Typeringfort
Area0.8 ha (2.0 acres)
Diameter99 m (325 ft)
Height3 m (9.8 ft)
History
BuilderSíol Elaigh
Materialearth
Founded6th–12th century
PeriodsEarly Christian Ireland
Associated withGaelic Irish
Site notes
Public accessyes
Official nameRathealy
Reference no.376

Location

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Rathealy Ringfort is located on a hilltop 3.5 km (2.2 mi) north of Tullaroan.

History

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Rathealy 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

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Rathealy Ringfort is a trivallate rath with a rectangular house, circular house and souterrain entrance clearly visible.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "Historic Castles of County Kilkenny Ireland".
  2. ^ "The Schools' Collection » Tullaroan (B.)". Dúchas.ie. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  3. ^ "Rathealy".
  4. ^ "The Early Development Of Irish Society". CUP Archive. 6 November 2008 – via Google Books.
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