Carron Henge – Rathnadov

Rathanadov ringfort/ceremonial enclosure is four km south of Cashel, on a hilltop. Typically ringforts were built predominately in the Early Medieval period but some have been found to have been built earlier in the Bronze Age and later in the Late Iron Age.

Experts suggest that Rathanadov may form part of the larger royal complex of Rathnadrinna fort, two km north. Rathnadrinna fort has not been excavated but has been subjected to high resolution magnetic imaging and it is now believed to date to the late Bronze Age. The magnetic imaging also revealed a Stonehenge-style of circular wooden posts indicating a ceremonial function of the fort. Rathanadov consists of a large circular enclosure, almost 70m in circumference with a wide and flat enclosure. Two internal ring-barrows (a low mound that gradually rises from the enclosure bank where cremated bones were placed) have been identified. Ring-barrows were primarily funerary monuments, with excavations showing barrows with single or multiple cremations.

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This national monument is protected in accordance with the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014