Ranaghan


Ranaghan is a townland and archaeological site in County Westmeath, Ireland.

Introduction

It is south-west of Lough Lene on high ground where there are a multitude of ringforts. Randoon, possibly the most famous fort of the area, is between Castlepollard and Collinstown. Turgesius the Viking is believed to have governed and sojourned in this area.

Origins

s are fortified settlements, generally agreed to be from the Early Medieval Period in Northern Europe, especially Ireland. They are also known as ráth caiseal, cathair and dún in the early Irish sources. A ráth was made of earth; caiseal and cathair were built of stone. A dún is a more prestigious site, the seat of a local chieftain or ruler; the term is also applied to promontory forts.

Locations

No historical or archaeological maps, surveys, nor records of the Early Medieval Period in Ireland approach the dates of the Irish ringforts. The areas surrounding Lough Lene of Collinstown, Glenidan, Comerstown, Ranaghan, are dotted with ringforts, testifying to the land of fertile soil.