What is recorded here

Castle in Ballinamorragh is a flat-topped earthen mound, twenty-seven metres across at the base and five metres high, ringed by a shallow flat-bottomed fosse. It sits on a slight rise above the old north shore of Wexford Harbour, where the Sinotts may have made their caput after the Roches of Fernegenel granted them Ardcolm parish around 1220-30. The mound is overgrown now, but its shape still marks a small claim of power pressed into a low-lying landscape near the water.

Located on a slight rise in a low-lying landscape close to the original N shore of Wexford Harbour which is c. 240-360m to the E and S. This is an overgrown and flat-topped earthen mound (diam. of base 27m; diam. of top 13m; H 5m) defined by a flat-bottomed fosse (Wth 3-4m; D c. 0.5m). Around 1220-30 the Roches of Fernegenel sub-infeudated Ardcolm parish to the Sinotts and this motte may have become their caput (Brooks 1950, 147-8; Colfer 2002, 105). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Wexford' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1996). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Compiled by: Michael Moore Date of upload/revision: 18 January 2013

Built by Anglo-Norman settlers in the 13th century, this motte was part of the expansion of English control into east County Wexford. It is remembered as a typical example of early medieval military architecture in the region.

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.