Moated site in Ballyhimmin (knocktopher By.)

On a hillock in a flat river valley surrounded by marsh to the N, E and S and by a rise in slope to the W. A stream runs NW-SE along the base of a high E-W running ridge c. 50m to the SW. The land rising to the W is now occupied by a large raised platform with a silage pit and farm sheds. Views are limited to the N and W by rising ground and to the S by a high ridge, with good views only from NE to S. A fulacht fia (KK005-032----) is located c. 40m to the E. A raised grass-covered moated site (dims. c. 45m N-S; 38m E-W) utilising a natural hillock, defined by scarp (H 1.15-1.25m; Wth 4.5-5m), an outer fosse (Wth 2.2-3.8m; D 0.5-0.15m) and a low broad outer bank (Wth at crest 2-2.5m; overall Wth 6.7m; ext. H 0.55-0.85m). The outer bank is more pronounced on the S and E sides. The fosse was originally much deeper and was filled with water diverted from the stream upslope to the W and fed into the NW corner, traces of the leat running down the hill had been noted by the landowner. In the SE angle the outer bank forms an exit leat. The fosse has been infilled and in places, particularly the W side, is no longer visible. According to the landowner the fosse had been 6 feet [c. 1.8m] deep along the N and W sides. The N edge has been monument has been dug into, leaving a steep, slightly irregular edge c. 12m S of the fosse. The W edge has been denuded and now forms a gentle slope which runs over the fosse. The entrance was probably along the W side, onto the dry rising slope externally. There is a raised area (H 0.7m; dims. c. 18m N-S to edge of quarrying; 10.5m E-W) N of centre in the interior, probably the remains of the hall. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 1 May 2018