Enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

Excavations revealed the remains of a south-west enclosure which was described in the Draft Conservation Plan of Carrickmines Castle (DU026-005001-) as follows; 'The northern The defences of Carrickmines Castle (DU026-005001-) consist of three earth and stone ditches. The earliest is the northern enclosure [DU026-005003-], possibly a moated site defended by a broad ditch and containing at least one substantial stone building. Another enclosure was later added to the south-west which had two probable entrances - a causeway or bridge on the south side, and a causeway on the east side. The south-east enclosure [DU026-005002-] was added last and was defended by three sets of defences (i.e. trivallate) with the innermost and central ditch cut into bedrock, and sections of the defences revetted in granite. The south-eastern enclosure had the foundations of a rectangular structure which has been suggested as a gate tower. The excavation report considered that the three conjoined defensive enclosures (north, south-west and southeast enclosures) were built within the space of a few generations by the Lissebon family. These three enclosures extend north, east and west of the farmhouse and barn buildings at Carrickmines' (Bolton 2015, 27-8).

See attached plan showing location of the south-west enclosure No. 2, courtesy Jason Bolton 2015, 27.

Bolton, J. 2015 Draft Carrickmines Castle Conservation Plan 2015-2025. DLR Co. Co., County Hall, Marine Road, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin.

Compiled by: Geraldine Stout and Padraig Clancy

Revised by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload: 30 December 2022

References

Clinton, M. 2001 The souterrains of Ireland. Bray. Wordwell.