Notice
Sonnagh Ringfort is a state-owned National Monument in the care of the Office of Public Works
WARNING: It should be noted that these sites are unguided and a level of care and caution should be maintained during all stages of your visit. The Office Of Public Works (OPW) will not be held responsible for any damages, injuries, or losses that occur
Sonnagh Ringfort
Sonnagh ringfort has a commanding view, sitting on top of a drumlin ridge, overlooking Lough Gowna to the east. The ringfort measures 46m in circumference surrounded by a bank of earth and stone of between 0.5m to 0.9m in height. A scarp with a wide intervening fosse leads to the outer bank which is 1.9m tall. The entrance to the ringfort was to the south-east, with a 4m wide break to the inner back. Sonnagh ringfort was surrounded by a timber palisade - a defensive wall.
Almost 60,000 examples of ringforts are located throughout the country dating from the Bronze Age (2500-500BC) up to the Late Iron Age (100-500CE). Typically smaller ringforts were occupied by small groups of families and cattle. Larger ringforts housed communities and cattle and provided safety from raiding ringforts.
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This national monument is protected in accordance with the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014
Gallery
Nearby sites to visit
Rathcroghan Visitor Centre
Follow in the footsteps of Queen Medb at Connacht’s ancient capital
Approx. 43.3 km from Sonnagh Ringfort
Roscommon Castle-South West Tower
A dramatic and imposing thirteenth Century Norman Castle
Approx. 44.8 km from Sonnagh Ringfort
Boyle Cistercian Abbey
Step back into Ireland’s monastic past
Approx. 48.4 km from Sonnagh Ringfort