Mountfortescue Hillfort facts for kids
|
Ráth Chnoc Réisc
|
|
 Location in Ireland
|
|
| Location | Mountfortescue, County Meath, Ireland |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 53°45′43″N 6°34′34″W / 53.762048°N 6.576048°W |
| Type | Ringditch, Tumulus, Hillfort |
| Area | 2.12 hectares (5.2 acres) (ringfort) |
| Diameter | 164 metres (179 yd) (ringfort) |
| History | |
| Material | Earth |
| Founded | AD 500–1000 |
| Periods | Middle Ages |
| Designation | National Monument |
Mountfortescue Hillfort is an important ancient site in County Meath, Ireland. It is a special type of old fort called a hillfort, which includes ancient burial mounds known as tumuli. This site is protected as a National Monument.
Contents
Where is Mountfortescue Hillfort?
Mountfortescue Hillfort is located about 5 kilometers (or 3 miles) north of Slane Castle. It sits high up, looking over the Delvin River. The Delvin River is a smaller river that flows into the bigger Boyne River.
What is a Hillfort?
A hillfort is a circular area built on top of a hill. It was often used for protection long ago. These forts usually have a large mound of earth inside them. This mound is called a tumulus or a barrow mound. Around the outside of the hillfort, there is typically an earthen bank and a ditch.
Mountfortescue's Features
At the Mountfortescue site, old records show a circular area. This area is about 180 yards (or 164 meters) across. Inside this circle, there is a mound. The entire archaeological site is known as Mountfortescue Ringditch, Tumulus & Hillfort.
History of the Area
The area around Mountfortescue has been active for a very long time. Nearby, there is an ancient burial ground called Slieve Breagh. Also, archaeologists have found a Neolithic settlement. This shows that people lived and worked in this area throughout prehistory, which means before written history began.
