Castle

Situated on a low ridge of possible rock outcrop close to the E bank of the River Fane, and consisting of a steep-sided, almost circular mound (max. H c. 6m, max. diam. at base 31m, at top c. 11m) with a crescent-shaped bailey at the W defined by an escarpment. There is a wide shallow fosse (Wth 7.5m, D 0.3m) between the mound and the bailey (max. Wth 10.5m, max. L 38m, H c. 5m). There is no evidence of a fosse surrounding either the motte or the bailey. Wright (1758, bk I, pl. XIII) shows a hexagonal feature (LH006-076002-) encompassing the summit of the mound. A basal course of stone can still be seen at the ENE side and a slight narrow bank at the SW. (Wright 1758, bk I ,pl. XIII,; Orpen 1908, 252; Quinn 1911, 429-30). The above description is derived from both the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Louth' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1986) and the 'Archaeological Survey of County Louth' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1991). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 17 July 2007

Built in the 11th or 12th century, likely by a local Norman lord following the conquest of Ireland, Castle in Castlering is remembered as a typical example of a motte and bailey castle, reflecting early medieval military architecture and the establishment of Norman control in the region.