Rathgall
An extensive hillside fortification with 8th century outer walls and later medieval inner walls. Evidence from excavations carried out at Rathgall suggests that hill forts were constructed from the late Bronze Age (800 BC) into the Iron Age and continued to be used into post medieval times. On excavation in 1969 Rathgall turned out to be the first Later Bronze Age Workshop located in Ireland and more than 400 clay moulds were also found there. Evidence of a house was discovered in the inner stone circle with the second and thind ramparts forming the main defensive walls.
Extensive metal workshops areas were uncovered in the inner and outer circles for casting large quantities of bronze weapons and tools. Other finds included glass, bronze, and stone objects, clay molds, as well as gold and glass beads among other artefacts. Excavations revealed that an important wealthy family or small community lived on the hilltop.
Located 5 km from Tullow, off the R725 Shillelagh Road, the site is accessible directly.