Earthwork in Ballymacad

Situated on the beaded part of a NNE-SSW esker ridge (H c. 6m), it is not marked on any OS map but is visible on aerial photographs (GSIAP: N 719, 725), and on later series. This is a large grass-covered, oval area (dims 76m NNE-SSW; 61m WNW-ESE) defined by a fosse (at S: Wth of top c. 6m; int. D 1.4m; ext. D c. 1m) with an outer bank (Wth of base 4.5m; ext. H 1m) S-SW across the esker, which declines into a berm (at NW: Wth 4.5mm) SW-N, but the fosse across the esker at N is truncated by an E-W field bank. The berm is more eroded N-E-S but runs inside the line of the fosse at S and rises up the esker before it fades into the slope. It might be an unfinished motte. 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. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of revision: 31 October 2018