Moated site

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated in level wet pasture. Slightly raised roughly square area (21m NW-SE; 20m NE-SW) enclosed by a bank of earth (Wth 2.9m; int. H 0.3m) with a fosse (Wth 3.6m) and an external earthen bank (Wth 3.3m; int. H 0.95m). The original entrance is not recognisable. A modern break (Wth 4m) cuts through the external bank at SW. The external bank is incorporated into a modern, now relic, NE-SW orientated field boundary SE-SW. Co-joined to the NW side of the moated site is an annex consisting of a slightly raised roughly rectangular area (28m NE-SW; 14m NW-SE). The annex is defined by the external bank of the moated site on the SE side and by an earthen bank (Wth 2.65m; int. H 0.4m) at SW-SE. Slight remains of an external fosse (Wth 1.4m) lie outside the bank of the annex at NW-NE. A break (Wth 3m), with a causeway across the fosse, marks the original entrance midway along the NW side. A modern break (Wth 2m) cuts through the bank of the annex at NE. In 2010, in response to forest fires, Sligo County conducted a controlled burn at, and within the vicinity of, the monument. During this operation, part of the enclosing elements of the annex on the NE side and the NE end of the NW side were levelled. A considerable quantity (c. 10m x c. 6m) of displaced stone and earth lies on the internal ground level immediately inside the original circuit of the enclosing elements.

Compiled by: Mark Keegan and Patrick O'Donovan

Date of upload: 17 November 2011