Moated site

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, on W bank of Aughnabounagh Stream. Depicted as hachured rectangular enclosure (c. 50m NNW-SSE; c. 35m ENE-WSW) on 1842 OS 6-inch map, in NE corner of quadrilateral field (c. 100m by c. 110m); enclosing field shown as raised area on 1905 and 1936 OS 6-inch maps, surrounded by a water-filled fosse with moated site in NE corner. According to Glasscock (1968, 196-7), who excavated site in mid 1960s, site once occupied NE corner of 'a much larger enclosure', the bank and ditch of which was levelled 'thirty years ago' with 'little trace remaining' (ibid., 196). Before excavation, site consisted of a rectangular area (195ft by 144ft) enclosed by earthen bank (int. H 5ft; ext. H 8ft above level of moat) and water-filled moat (Wth 12ft at water level) fed by diversion of stream; bank raised at the four corners; interior 2ft above level of surrounding field (ibid.). Three main phases of occupation were established by excavation. In phase one, remains of fires on old turf line at centre of platform were probably associated with the digging of the moat. In phase two, 'c. 1ft. of soil' (ibid.) was spread on the surface and traces of a trodden stone path found. In phase three, centre of platform was raised by a 'probable foundation-raft for a stone building' (ibid.), and a flagged pathway, covered stone drains and cobbled surfaces were found, along with 'fragmentary stone foundations, probably of out-buildings, include those of a small rectangular building in the NE corner' (ibid.); ditch along inner face of earthen bank interpreted as evidence for a wooden palisade. Finds included base of rotary quern, oyster-shells, nails, a rowel of an English type (16th century date) and fragment of wooden dish. A sample of a timber from 'a causeway in situ in the western moat' gave a radiocarbon date of 1225±70 ad (Barry 1981, 78). Access to site not gained; moated site appears from a distance to be levelled. Listed by Barry (1981, 83, no. 51).

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009

This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 1/1965).