Castle - motte and bailey

The National Monuments Service's description

At NE end of hill on E fringe of upland area, with extensive view NE over Shannon estuary and E over plain of Limerick. Large ringfort (LI019-082---) occupies opposite end of ridge c. 60m to SW. Conical earthen mound (75m SW-NE; 70m NW-SE) with flat top (25.5m SW-NE; 20m NW-SE) enclosed by earthen bank (ext. H 7.5m; int. H 6.5m) (see Sweetman 1999, fig. 16). Attached to NE side is trapezoidal area (int.: 30m SW-NE; 45m NW-SE) enclosed by earthen bank (int. H 0.5m; ext. H 4.5m) with external fosse (Wth 4.5m) and counterscarp bank (int. H 1.5m; ext. H 2m). Interior slopes down steeply to NE (fall of c. 7.5m) but has terrace at its upper and lower ends. Enclosing element of bailey overgrown with bushes as, partially, is bank surrounding mound, but otherwise site under grass. Steep-sides of mound stepped due to soil slippage; cattle accessing summit have worn path ascending on E side of mound; base of path corresponds with gap in enclosing bank. Atop mound are remains of shell keep (LI019-08101-).
Shanid was originally occupied by William de Burgh c. 1198 but had become a Geralding possession by mid-13th century (Empey 1981, 12) and remained so until late 16th century (Westropp 1906-7, 243). The earthwork element of Shanid was probably built in the initial stage of conquest c. 1198.
Compiled by: Denis Power

Date of upload: 26 August 2011

LI019-081002_01.jpg Aerial view taken in 1985 of Shannid Castle, motte and bailey (LI019-081002-) and ringfort (LI019-082----) (Photograph: J. Danaher).
LI019-081002_02.jpg View of Shannid Castle from the east (July 2013; photograph: J. Danaher)
LI019-081002_03.jpg View of the keep interior from the north (July 2013; photograph: J. Danaher)
Images uploaded courtesy of John Danaher.