Moated site

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated on a slight W-facing slope with a SE-NW section of the S-N Blackwater River c. 40m to the SW. This is a rectangular grass and reed-covered platform (dims 28-39m NW-SE; 15-19m NE-SW) defined by silted moats (Wth of top 11-17m; int. D 1.4-2.2m; ext. D 1m generally to 3m at NW) that are bordered externally by earthen banks (Wth 6-10m; ext. H 0.2-1m generally but 3.2m at NW). The outer banks at NE and SW extend beyond the moated site to the SE and enclose a second rectangular plot (dims 54m NW-SE; c. 50m NE-SW) defined by low earthen banks (Wth c. 8m; H 0.3-0.6m). This enclosure has an E-W bank (Wth 4m; H 1m) extending through it. There is a silted quarry (dims 25m NW-SE; 7m NE-SW; D 0.6m) or small fish-pond at the S angle of this enclosure. There are second outer banks outside this extended area and the moated site at SE, SW and NW, and as the earthworks are confined within the current field it is possible that the field bank at NE incorporates an earlier outer bank (max. ext. dims c. 150m NW-SE; c. 80m) NE-SW. A modern spoil mound from the river drainage runs parallel with the river and between it and the long medieval earthwork banks.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Compiled by: Michael Moore

Date of revision: 13 August 2019
Amended: 24 March 2023