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Castle

Castle, motte

What is recorded here

Castle, motte is a flat-topped mound in Moynalty, County Meath, where a missing bailey may have stretched southeast beside the ridge. The Owenmore or Moynalty River runs fifty metres to the southwest, giving the place a sharp edge of water and shadow. Its base spans thirty-six metres, rising from four to six metres, large enough to hold a household, a guard room and the kind of stubborn pride that still animates forgotten castle land.
Situated on a NW-SE ridge within woodland with a NW-SE section of the Owenmore or Moynalty River c. 50m to the SW. Flat-topped mound (dims of top 16m NE-SW; 12m NW-SE; dim. of base 36m NE-SW; H 4.3m at NE to 6m at SW). A bailey may have existed to the SE (dims c. 39m NW-SE; c. 31m NE-SW). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Meath' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1987). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 10 July 2007
Built in the 13th century, likely by Anglo-Norman settlers expanding into the Moynalty area. The motte is important as a remnant of early medieval military and territorial control in the region.

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Recorded monument

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