Ráith na Ríg, the Fort of the Kings, seems to have been given this name in the medieval period because of the royal associations with the monuments enclosed by it. These include Tech Cormaic, regarded as Cormac mac Airt’s royal residence and the Forrad. The monument is a large ovoid enclosure. It is defined by an internal ditch and an external bank which is best preserved in the south-western and north-western quadrants. A section dug across the ramparts in 1955 revealed that the ditch, which was V-sectioned, was once an impressive 5.5m deep, most of which was cut into the shale bedrock. The stratigraphy recorded in the section is open to different interpretations, but it seems reasonably certain that a layer containing iron slag was sealed beneath the bank indicating that the ramparts were constructed during the Iron Age or later. The foundation trench for a wooden palisade was found running parallel to the ditch 2m inside it. This appears to have been a later addition and it had the effect of converting this ceremonial‘ enclosure into a defensive one. Three entrances have been identified, in the south, east and northwest. It appears that the most important of these was the eastern one. None, however, is original and it seems that they are contemporary with the erection of the palisade. This may have signalled a dramatic departure in the function of the monument reflecting the demise of the old pagan order and the rise of the new Christian one where political expediency outweighed notions of pagan sanctity. Ráith na Ríg in medieval descriptions is said to have enclosed three wonders, the Forrad, Tech Cormaic and Mur Tea. The Irish word forrad is likely to mean ‘a mound or platform’. It is possible that the monument functioned as the location of inaugurations of kings of Tara. SMR No.: ME031-033005-

Metadata	Information
Source	The Discovery Programme
Contacts	Mr Anthony Corns Technology Manager The Discovery Programme 63 Merrion Square Dublin D2 Dublin Dublin Ireland +353 1 639 3039 +353 1 639 3710 info@discoveryprogramme.ie The Discovery Programme
Copyright Credit Line	Copyright ©The Discovery Programme
Europeana Rights	Creative Commons - Attribution, Non-Commercial, No Derivatives (BY-NC-ND)
Spatial	Ráith na Ríg, Tara Fort of the Kings Castleboy County Meath Ireland
Protection Type	National Monuments in State Care
Start Date	Uncertain
End Date	Uncertain
Period Name	Uncertain
Materials	Earth
Heritage Asset Type	Hilltop enclosure