CARROWMORE RINGFORTS

The Carrowmore ringforts consist of two small forts. They are an example of paired ringforts (as opposed to a single ring fort), which may reflect a smaller family groupings.

Ringforts are enclosed settlements and date to between the mid-3rd century AD to the mid-14th century AD. They are also known as ráth, caiseal, cathair or caher and dún in the early Irish sources. Ringforts are traditionally regarded as farmsteads and were, in the caste system of the early medieval period, the home of a free man and his family at the centre of a mixed agricultural economy, which was dominated by cattle.

They generally comprised of a raised area enclosed by a bank and outer fosse or ditch. They are usually circular, D-shaped or oval, with a single entrance. The typical ringfort would have enclosed one or more simple houses with outbuildings, made from upright wooden posts interlaced with wattle-and-daub panels.