Castle

Situated on a natural hill in flat poorly drained pasture with extensive views. A natural hill which has been scarped to form a steep-sided flat-topped mound (top diam. 19.2m N-S; H 11m) with a berm (Wth 1m; ext. H 5m) around the hill halfway up the side of the mound which spreads out at S to form an elevated bailey. The base of the mound is enclosed by a wide flat-bottomed fosse (Wth 4-6m; D 2-2.5m) and a wide flat-topped external bank (Wth 4m; ext. D 1m) of earth and stone construction which is greatly reduced from NW through N to NE. A stone-lined causewayed entrance (Wth 2m) at S possibly gave access to the elevated bailey on the S side of the motte. Field clearance material is dumped at the base of the mound on the N side. An impressively defended motte with elevated bailey and an unusual arrangement of defensive features. The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Tipperary. Vol. 1 - North Tipperary' compiled by Jean Farrelly and Caimin O'Brien (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2002). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 22 September 2008

Built by the Anglo-Normans in the late 12th or early 13th century, Castle, motte and bailey in Tullahedy was part of a network of strategic defensive structures established during the Norman invasion and colonization of Ireland. It is remembered as a key site in the region's medieval military and administrative history.