Ball Moat — Donard Lower

Situated overlooking the medieval church of Donard (WI021-005001-). Archbishop John Comyn of Dublin granted Donard to Jordan de Marisco before 1190 and this may be the site of a motte built by him (Price 1953, 189). Largely natural steep-sided mound (diam. c. 40m; H c. 4-8m) with a level, roughly circular summit (diam. 24m) defined by an earthen bank (Wth 1.7m; H 0.4-0.7m). There is an entrance (Wth 3m) and an access ramp at the NE, a possible fosse at the E (c. 4m below the summit), with a corresponding berm at the W. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wicklow' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 17 December 2008 This monument is subject to a preservation order made under the National Monuments Acts 1930 to 2014 (PO no. 119/1940).