Castle - motte

The National Monuments Service's description

Natural flat topped mound(diam. 22m; ext.H. 2m) with gently sloping sides and gazebo of 18-19th century date built on top of mound. Impossible to tell whether mound is a motte or whether it was just landscaped for the gazebo in the 19th century. There is no evidence of a bailey or enclosing fosse. Described in 1977 as 'sub-circular mound with gently sloping sides and a wide top. The top is fairly flat with a slightly raised platform in the northern part. This platform supports an 18th century folly or low circular tower. The top of the mound is approx. 22m in diam. North-South and 16m in diam. E-W. There is a slight fosse at the foot of the mound on the western side. This earthwork is built on sloping ground and is approx. 2m high on the western side while it is approx. 4m high on the eastern side. It is unclear what type of monument this is. It could be a small motte' (ASI file 1977).

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload: 23 May 2011