Castle - motte

The National Monuments Service's description

In undulating grassland, prominently sited at the top of a steep SSE-facing slope. A conical earthen mound (H c. 3m) with a flat oval summit (27m E-W; 22.5m N-S) is enclosed along its rim by a moss-covered stony bank (Wth 2m; int. H 0.55m). Externally the stony bank merges with the steep sloping side of the mound. The base of the mound is enclosed by a shallow and indistinct fosse (Wth c. 3-4m) except WSW-W where it is steep-sided (D 0.7m; Wth 4.3m). Ash trees, hawthorn, blackthorn and brambles grow around the perimeter of the mound and blackthorn bushes and clumps of brambles dot the summit. At ENE is a gentle ramp-like slope on the mound's side, corresponding with a gap in the bank (Wth 2.3m) at the summit. According to Milligan (1890-91, 577), this may be one of the castles captured by O'Donnell in 1516 during one of his raids. Killross parish church (SL021-056001-) lies 700m to the ENE.

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Sligo' compiled by Ursula Egan, Elizabeth Byrne, Mary Sleeman with Sheila Ronan and Connie Murphy (Dublin Stationery Office, 2005).

Date of upload: 18 January 2008