HeyRuaHow to say “ring-fort” in Irish
- Irish:
- ráth
- English:
- ring-fort, earthen rampart, shoal, layer
- Word type:
- noun
- Gender:
- masculine, third declension
- Pronunciation:
- “raw” /ɾˠɑː/
- Plural:
- ráthanna (ring-forts)
- Genitive singular:
- rátha, an rátha (e.g. bruach an rátha, the bank of the ring-fort)
- Genitive plural:
- ráthanna, na ráthanna (e.g. suíomhanna na ráthanna, the sites of the ring-forts)
What does “ráth” mean?
“Ráth” has four alternative meanings. The most common comes first.
- ring-fort
- An ancient circular earthen fort or enclosure surrounded by a bank and ditch, often linked with the fairies in folklore.Also: rath, fairy fort, earthen fort, earthwork.
3 other meanings: earthen rampart or shoal or layer
- 2earthen rampart
- A bank or rampart of earth built for defence or enclosure.Also: rampart, earthwork, embankment.
- 3shoal
- A large group of fish or sea creatures moving together in the water.Also: school of fish, pod, swarm.
- 4layer
- A layer or covering of something lying on the ground, such as snow.Also: covering, layer of snow.
“Ráth” with the article
The plural of ring-fort in Irish is ráthanna. Here is ráth after the article (an t-alt), in the singular and the plural.
“Ráth” in a sentence: Irish examples
Common Irish sentences using ráth, the Irish word for ring-fort.
Other nouns in Irish
More everyday Irish nouns to learn next.
Ring-fort in Irish: frequently asked questions
What is the Irish for ring-fort?
The Irish for ring-fort is ráth (pronounced “raw”). It’s a masculine noun and the plural is ráthanna. Depending on context it can also mean earthen rampart or shoal or layer.
How do you pronounce ráth in Irish?
Ráth is said like “raw” (IPA /ɾˠɑː/).
What is the plural of ring-fort in Irish?
The plural of ráth is ráthanna; with the article, na ráthanna means “the ring-forts”. The genitive plural is ráthanna, as in suíomhanna na ráthanna (the sites of the ring-forts).
Does ráth have more than one meaning?
Yes. Ráth can mean ring-fort, earthen rampart, shoal or layer, depending on context; the first is the most common.
What is the difference between ráth and lios?
Both mean a ring-fort; ráth often refers to the earthen rampart itself, while lios refers more to the enclosure, and both appear in place names like Ráth Maonais and Lios Tuathail.
Why do so many Irish place names begin with Rath?
Place names such as Ráth Fearnáin (Rathfarnham) come from ráth, showing that an old ring-fort once stood there.
