Raithlind was composed of numerous raths that surrounded the primary fortress of Desmond’s king. It basically made an ancient tribal town.

In the early 1900s, a distinguished Irish scholar, Canon Lyons, described Raithlind from his direct observations of the site and archeological efforts made by others at the time.

“A long-standing problem of local history has been clearly solved. The description given of Raithleann, the seat of Cian, son of Maolmuadh, son-in-law of Brian Boru, in the September number of the Gaelic journal, has enabled me to identify it without the least doubt. The Rath exists, in a good state of preservation, with a double [triple] rampart, in the north-eastern point of the townland of Gurranes, in the parish of Temple­martin, and Barony of Kinelmeky, about six or seven miles north of Bandon, and three miles south-east of Crookstown station.”

Lyons, in other accounts, mentioned the presence of dozens of raths still in existence to the south and east of the king’s fortress. Other raths previously in existence were leveled by then. The king’s fortress incorporated a triple rampart. Each rampart was constructed from earth and rock, the fosses of these being about five feet deep. The land within the rampart was said to encompass about three acres.

Among the archaeological discoveries made, an ogham stone and sepulchral mounds were listed. The mounds which were opened, contained cinerary urns, indicating Raithlind’s ancient origins.

A poem by Giolla Caomh actually lists the features of the settlement—the Road of the Chariots on the north, the Fort of Sadhbh (Sabia, daughter of Brian), on the west, the Ford of Spoils on the east, the Road of the Mules “below.”

Mac Liag, Brian Boru’s bard or poet, elaborates further with reference to the “cashels of the raths,” the Rath of the Poets, the Rath of the Women, Raith Chuain (Cuan O’Lochain, the ollamh), Dun Draighnean (Draighnean O seicinn, the trumpeter), Raith Chuilcinn (Cuilceann, the harper), the Rath of the Doirseoir (janitor or gatekeeper).

We also know that in the vicinity was Sciath an Eigis, the rath of the hostages.

In the ninth century, the Eoganacht Raithlind’s land included the districts of Kinelea and Kinelmeky. Ivagha also belonged to them. They gradually expanded in the coming centuries.

In one of his poems, Mac Liag, describes Brian’s son-in-law, Cian of Desmond, as “Cian an Cairn,” or of “Carn Ui Neid”.

Cairn Ui Neid, according to Dr. O’Donovan, is Mizen Head, which is pictured in the featured image and the image far below.

There are also references that show the kings of Desmond ruled over the land as far as the boundary of Cork. Cork, was originally a longphort of Scandinavian origin established by Viking raiders. However, there seems to be indication that while maintaining independence, they kept some level of accord with the Kings of Desmond, as well as other Irish neighbors.

The eastern and western boundaries of the Eoganacht Raithlind’s land coincided with the eastern and western limits of the Diocese of Cork. So from certain descriptions it appears that the Eoganacht Raithlind owned a greater portion of land than even the ruling Eoganacht of Cashel.