Moataward — Lisnagrish

In pasture at the NW end of a ridge running NW-SE, overlooking flat poorly drained land to the N. A circular, steep-sided, flat-topped motte is defined by a mound of earth and stone (H c. 3-4.5m; diam. at base c. 15m). An irregular depression (diam. 2m; D 0.4m) on its summit (diam. c. 7m) is probably associated with the use of the monument by the OS as a spot height. The E face of the motte has partially collapsed. Its base is enclosed by a wide deep fosse (Wth 4.4m; D 1m) from SW-W-N and a shallow depression or dip, which separates it from the bailey, from N-E-SSW. The raised crescent-shaped bailey to the SE of the motte is defined by a scarp (ext. H 1.5-2.5m), a wide external fosse (Wth 4.5m; ext. D 1m) and a tree-lined earth and stone outer bank. Traces of wall-footings are evident along the SE edge of the scarp. The outer bank has been levelled from SE-S. Two livestock gaps are visible: one (Wth 1.7m) at S and one (Wth 2.5m) at WSW, the former is of recent appearance. An unusual feature is that the outer bank widens out into a flat-topped berm (Wth 5-9m; ext. H 1.3m) from WSW-N-E. Well preserved internal wall-footings along the berm, from SW-W-N, indicate it was also stone-faced. The berm only runs around the vulnerable side of the motte, which is not protected by the bailey. The attached LIDAR image is uploaded courtesy of Dr Steve Davis. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 15 October 2013