Indicated

Situated on a high natural terrace overlooking the White River to its E and consisting of a low flat-topped circular mound (H 4-5m, diam. at base max. 18.5m, at summit 9.5m). There is no trace of a surrounding fosse or bailey. Possible Man-made underground passage (LH018-064007-) said to be built in the motte (Anon. 1921, 34). (Deane 1922, 105) Test trenching (04E1314) carried out in advance of a proposed residential development, immediately W of the motte uncovered 'ditches dating to the post-medieval, medieval and possibly prehistoric periods: a well with associated cobbling and stone wall, a wall with a probable associated stone drain close by, a deposit of burnt material with a quantity of red-brick inclusions, a post-hole containing fragments of prehistoric pottery and various archaeological spreads and agricultural furrows. Sherds of medieval pottery were retrieved from the topsoil.' (O' Neill 2007, 269). The above description is derived from both the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Louth' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1986) and the 'Archaeological Survey of County Louth' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1991). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Revised by: Claire Breen Date of upload: 11 July 2012

Dunleer is a ringfort, likely built during the early medieval period (c. 500–1000 AD), and is remembered as a typical example of ancient Irish hillforts used for defensive and domestic purposes.