Castle

Situated on a low ridge to the immediate W of the Moate Road, directly S of Main Street in the town of Moate. Depicted on the revised 1910 ed. OS 25-inch map as a substantial oval-shaped flat-topped mound. Monument described as a large steep-sided circular-shaped mound defined by regular sides. The top (dims. 19m N-S; 15m E-W) is slightly rounded and has an irregular surface. A fosse defines the base of the motte from S-SSW-SW and separates it from a high, triangular-shaped platform which represents the remains of a bailey. There is no indication of an entrance feature or of access to the motte from the bailey. The E side of the bailey has been disturbed by quarrying. Monument is clearly visible today as a roughly circular-shaped mound with a triangular-shaped bailey on Digital Globe aerial photography. Compiled by Alison McQueen, Vera Rahilly and Caimin O’Brien. Date of upload: 10 November 2019

Built in the 13th century, likely by a Norman lord or local gentry during the Anglo-Norman expansion in Ireland. The site is important as a typical example of a motte and bailey castle, reflecting early medieval military architecture and settlement patterns in the region.