What is recorded here

Sixty-five metres of ditch cut east to west north of Esker Castle, likely dug after 1700 to reclaim land. It appeared on maps only after 1838, suggesting human hands shaped the esker well into the modern era. The castle watched while people forced water from the soil, turning barren ground into usable earth.

A short linear fosse running E-W for a distance of c. 65m is depicted on the 1908 edition of the OS 6-inch map but is not depicted on the 1838 edition of the OS 6-inch map. This linear ditch is located 110m to the N of Esker Castle (OF006-031001-) and is probably post-1700 in date and may be related to land reclamation works of post 1700 date. 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. Compiled by Caimin O'Brien Date of upload/revision: 20 December 2011

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