Rathnamanagh

Situated on a low hill, site consists of an oval-shaped motte (max. summit diam. 10m max.; base diam. c. 21m; H c. 5.4m) in NE section of bailey (dims. 50m E-W x 90m N-S) and seperated from it by a wide shallow fosse (Wth c. 5.2m; D c. 1m). The bailey, which is probably the remains of an earlier ringfort (LA013-004002-) is defined by a low bank; intervening fosse (Wth c. 2.6m) with stone causeway (Wth c. 3m) and external bank (Wth c. 5.5m; int. H 1.3m; ext. H 1.4m) except at N. The bailey, which is probably the remains of an earlier ringfort that was re-fortified and converted into a motte and Bailey by the Anglo-Normans. Reference to a fort with deep fosses and level interior here (O'Hanlon and O'Leary 1907, vol. 1, 193). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload: 17 December 2007

A local castle; wider significance not recorded.