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All Ireland County Wicklow Rathgall Hillfort

Rathgall Hillfort

Ancient Bronze Age rampart that was used into the middle ages.

County Wicklow, Ireland

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Bridgid
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Rathgall Hillfort.   Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
Rathgall Hillfort.   Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
  johnff750 / Atlas Obscura User
  johnff750 / Atlas Obscura User
Rathgall Hillfort.   Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
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About

What at first glance appears to simply be a series of earthen rings on a small Irish hill is actually the fortification of an ancient people.

An imposing earthworks rampart, the Rathgall Hillfort (otherwise known by the more epic name The Ring of the Rath) is composed of four concentric dirt and rock circles dating back to the Bronze Age. The rings are made of local stones and much of it is overgrown, but built to last since their construction in 800 BC. Excavations on the site in the 1970s revealed a workshop, a circular house, beads of gold and glass, and objects made from bronze, glass, and stone. Evidence also suggests that the fort remained occupied until medieval times.

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Ruins Monuments Architectural Oddities Architecture

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Located 6 km east of Tullow in County Wicklow

Community Contributors

Added By

barnumbrownie

Edited By

Martin, aribrown, Collector of Experiences, johnff750

  • Martin
  • aribrown
  • Collector of Experiences
  • johnff750

Published

August 21, 2012

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Sources
  • http://visitwicklow.ie/attractions/rathgall-hillfort/
  • http://www3.nd.edu/~archire/sites/swhetzel/index.htm
Rathgall Hillfort
Shillelagh Road
County Wicklow
Ireland
52.802216, -6.663029
Get Directions

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