Moated site

The National Monuments Service's description

On the E-facing slope of Brandon Hill, although in a clearing in forestry it is heavily covered with vegetation including ferns and scrub. It is described by Moore (1849-51, 23) as a 'quadrangular fort', which ‘besides possessing the usual fosse and rampart, contained within the enclosed space foundations of buildings [KK029-033002- to KK029-033007-], laid out apparently in small cells, of which there were about half a dozen, as nearly as I can recollect. These foundations were constructed of regular masonry, which I conceive to be of antiquity coeval with the earthen fortifications which surrounded them’. It is shown on the 1st (1839) ed. OS 6-inch map as a sub-rectangular enclosure (dims. S L c. 0.35m broadening to c. 42m at N, E L c. 65m and W L c. 60m) with a long narrow rectangle (L c. 48m; Wth c. 8m), aligned N-S, indicated on the W side. It is described after a field visit in 2016 (pers. comm. Seán Quealy, Environmental Officer, Coillte, 28 November 2018), as a rectangular area (overall dims. N L 42m; E L 67m; S L 42m; W L 62m) defined by a raised platform, fosse (basal Wth c. 2m; top Wth c. 3.5m; D 1.5m) and outer bank. No internal features were noted at time of field visit in 2016.

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Date of upload: 10 December 2018

References

Moore, Rev. P. 1849-51 Observations on raths. Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland 1, 22-6.