Pallas Moat

This steep sided motte is c. 8m high with a surrounding ditch 2m wide and 2.5m deep. There are good views to the north-east and east but it is overlooked by higher ground to the north-west and south. The top of the motte is sub-rectangular in shape and c. 20m in width. O'Dwyer (1958-61, 74-5) mentions a rectangular structure in the north-east quadrant 8.2m by 7.3m but this is not visible at present. There is a possible bailey to the west separated from the motte now by a modern lane but it is extremely overgrown and inaccessible. It also appears to have had an enclosing ditch. The above description of this monument is taken from 'The Urban Archaeological Survey of County Limerick' compiled by John Bradley, Andrew Halpin and Heather A. King (Office of Public Works, 1985). Date of upload: 09 June 2016

Built by a Norman or Anglo-Norman lord during the 13th century, Pallas Moat, Cloghaderreen is important as a defensive and strategic site in the medieval colonization of Connacht. Its location provided a vantage point for controlling local trade routes and monitoring surrounding territory.