Castle - motte and bailey

The National Monuments Service's description

Mound situated at SW end of low ridge running SW-NE on wet marshy land with stream immediately to SW. Wayside cross (WM004-025----) 50m to NE, Knocknamonaster earthwork (WM004-035011-) and site of stone bridge as depicted on 1837 ed. OS 6-inch map 50m to SW, Fore Abbey (WM004-035010-) 255m to SW. Classification of this monument is difficult due to the poor condition of the mound caused by quarrying. Present remains consist of a poorly preserved steep sided flat-topped earth and stone mound that appears to have been partially quarried into in the post-medieval period. There are several depressions in the side of the mound which appear to be the result of quarrying. On the NE side of the mound there is a flat elevated area partially damaged by quarrying and now covered in scrub bushes which may represent the remains of a bailey area. Low grass-covered linear earthwork running SW-NE visible in field immediately N of mound appear to be the remains of a field system of uncertain antiquity. It is possible that this mound may be the remains of a badly damaged prehistoric burial mound or barrow rather than the remains of a possible motte and bailey. Not depicted as an antiquity on the 1837 ed. OS 6-inch map.

WM004-029----_06.jpeg Profile section of mound as drawn by Archaeological Survey of Ireland based in Co. Westmeath c. 1970s.

Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien

Date of upload: 14 April 2015

References

ASIAP - Archaeological Survey of Ireland Aerial Photographs (c. 1996 - c. 2010).