Robertstown Fort facts for kids
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Ráth Bhaile Riobaird
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 Location in Ireland
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| Location | Robertstown, Kilbeg County Meath, Ireland |
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| Coordinates | 53°47′39″N 6°49′13″W / 53.794130°N 6.820141°W |
| Type | Ringfort |
| Area | 855 square metres (0.211 acres) |
| Diameter | 33 metres (108 ft) |
| Circumference | 103 metres (338 ft) |
| History | |
| Material | earth |
| Founded | AD 500–1000 |
| Periods | Middle Ages |
| Designation | National Monument |
Robertstown Fort is an ancient ringfort in County Meath, Ireland. It's a special place, protected as a National Monument, which means it's really important to Ireland's history. Imagine a circular fortress made of earth – that's what a ringfort is! People lived here a very long time ago, between 500 and 1000 AD.
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Where is Robertstown Fort?
Robertstown Fort is found in County Meath, a beautiful part of Ireland. It's about 4.5 kilometres (2.8 mi) east of a town called Moynalty. The fort is also located about 1.3 kilometres (1,400 yd) north of the River Owenroe. This river is a small branch that flows into the bigger River Boyne.
What is a Ringfort?
A ringfort is a type of ancient settlement, usually round or oval. It was built by people in Ireland and Britain a very long time ago. Think of it as a small, circular farm or home protected by a big ditch and a bank of earth. These were the main homes for families and their animals during the early Middle Ages.
How Were Ringforts Built?
Ringforts like Robertstown Fort were made using simple tools. People dug a deep ditch around a chosen area. The earth they dug out was then piled up to create a high bank inside the ditch. Sometimes, they added a wooden fence or a stone wall on top of the bank for extra protection. This made it harder for enemies or wild animals to get in.
Who Lived in Ringforts?
Families, often important ones, lived inside ringforts. They built round or rectangular houses, usually made of wood and thatch. These forts were not just homes; they were also places where people farmed, kept livestock, and stored their food. They were like small, self-sufficient villages for a single family or a small group.
Why is Robertstown Fort Important?
Robertstown Fort is important because it helps us understand how people lived in Ireland over a thousand years ago. It's a National Monument, which means the Irish government protects it. This protection ensures that the fort remains safe for future generations to learn from.
What Can We Learn from Ringforts?
Archaeologists study ringforts to learn about daily life in the past. They look for old tools, pottery, and animal bones. These finds tell us what people ate, what jobs they did, and how they built their homes. Robertstown Fort, with its large size (about 33 metres (108 ft) across), gives us clues about the people who lived there.
The Age of Robertstown Fort
Robertstown Fort was built sometime between 500 AD and 1000 AD. This time period is known as the early Middle Ages in Ireland. It was a time when many small kingdoms existed, and people often needed to protect their homes and families. Ringforts were a common way to do this.
