What is recorded here

Indicated is a circular walled orchard beside Moystown House in County Offaly, built during the 18th century to decorate the estate rather than defend it. Surveyors later mistook the garden wall for a fort, proving that beauty can still trigger ancient fears. The true purpose was pleasure, not battle, and the circle remains a deliberate act of joy in the Offaly landscape.

Walled orchard associated with nearby Moystown House of 18th century date, depicted as a circular enclosure on the first edition of the OS 6-inch map and decribed as a 'fort' in the OS letters (O'Flanagan 1927, vol. 2, 50). Most likely to be a designed landscape feature associated with Moystown House. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 23 May 2011

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