Townland in County Westmeath, Ireland
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 (Randún), 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.
Ringforts are fortified settlements, generally agreed to be from the Early Medieval Period in Northern Europe, especially Ireland. They are also known as "ráth" (as in Ranaghan) "caiseal", "cathair" and "dún" (as in Randoon/Randún) in the early Irish sources. A "ráth" (anglicised rath) was made of earth; "caiseal" (northwestern Ireland, anglicised cashel) and "cathair" (southwestern Ireland) 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 (meaning "fertile soil") of Collinstown, Glenidan, Comerstown, Ranaghan, are dotted with ringforts, testifying to the land of fertile soil.