Castle

Built by de Lacy in 1211 and dismantled in 1224-6 by Cathal O'Reilly. A very substantial motte with exceptionally well-preserved bailey enclosed by a well-defined fosse and substantial earthen bank. Both have been levelled from NE-ENE-E. Motte consists of a high (H c. 8m), steep-sided, flat-topped subcircular mound (dims of base c. 48m NNW-SSE; c. 45m WNW-ESE). The summit is oval in plan (dims c. 26m NE-SW; c. 18m NW-SE). A wide, deep fosse runs between the motte and bailey at NNW. Bailey is crescentic in plan. Site has been planted with deciduous trees and a number of relatively modern garden demesne features have been incorporated into its fabric. These include an icehouse built into the N of the bailey, a stone passageway built through the outer bank of the bailey at NNW, a low concave stone wall built into the base of the motte at SE and a demesne wall set against the outer bank at S. (Henry 1987, 9; Davies 1947a, 79-81) The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cavan' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1995). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 22 December 2008

Built by the de Lacy family in 1211, the motte and bailey at Kilmore Upper was dismantled between 1224 and 1226 by Cathal O'Reilly during local conflicts in the Anglo-Norman settlement of Ireland. Its importance lies in its well-preserved remains, offering valuable insight into early medieval military architecture and the turbulent history of Norman expansion in the region.