The Rathmore Mound, located within the Rathcroghan archaeological complex, is a structure whose history dates back over 5500 years. Imagine a fort 40 metres in diameter, with a 7-metre-wide trench around it. This is the Rathmore Mound, an Iron Age site of impressive proportions!
Today, Rathmore is a mound of earth and grass. But it was once a circular fort (ringfort), dating from the late Iron Age and used until the early medieval period.
Although considered too small to be a traditional ringfort, it was nevertheless a defensive structure, providing protection from the enemy. It would have belonged to a wealthy family of the time and housed a house, a central courtyard (which was home to the local life of part of Rathcroghan), as well as defensive walls and a substantial moat.
Geophysical surveys have revealed traces of hearths, pits and ovens, suggesting that this mound was not just a pretty hill, but a bustling place of life, which also served as a place of protection for the Rathcroghran population.
It would be here, at Rathmore, that festivities of all kinds and pagan rites were celebrated. Food markets were probably held here: the owners of the site opened up their yards for farmers to set up their stalls and sell the season’s harvest.
Unfortunately, for today’s curious, there is no public access to Rathmore.
However, you can admire this historic monument from the roadside, or by requesting an outdoor guided tour from the Vistor Centre in Rathcroghan.
But don’t let that put you off: this is a place of great historical value and one of Rathcroghan’s treasures. So admire it from the outside, and feed your imagination at the same time!
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