Earthwork in Murneen South

In an expanse of lowlying, rush-grown, damp pasture surrounding Murneen castle (MA0091-017001). A modern NNW−SSE road extends through the earthworks. In the early years of the 20th century, Knox (1913-14, 200-202) recorded extensive ‘earthworks’ to W, S and SW of the castle (MA001-017001-) and possible bailey (MA091-017004). They extended over an area of c. 250m N−S by c. 200m E−W, and consisted of linear ‘ramparts’/banks and ditches, which enclosed large rectilinear areas and a large raised triangular area. Knox interpreted the earthworks as fortifications and subsidiary enclosures associated with the castle. He noted that some of the banks had already been partly levelled and the ditches filled in. Since that time, further reclamation has taken place. When the area was inspected in 1998, low scarps and ditches could still be traced to W and N of the castle, and fragmentary remains were evident in the field to S, but full outline of the enclosures recorded by Knox could not be traced with any confidence. There was no trace of the earthworks in the present-day fields on the W side of the modern road. Compiled by: Jane O’Shaughnessy Date of upload: 11 February 2022