Moated site in Wood

Large trapezoidal shaped enclosure (c. 65m NE-SW x c. 110m SE-NW) defined by a scarp with slight traces of a bank in places and a wide shallow fosse of the N. Evidence of a gap and causeway at SE. Situated in low lying area on slight rise. System of banks and fosses to S and E of enclosure. Aerial photo (GSI N489/90/91). Situated on flat low lying flood plains of the Yellow River about 300m to the S. Large raised sub-rectangular or lozenge shaped area (109m N-S; 93m E-W) defined by a low bank reduced in most places to a scarp and broad shallow fosse (Wth 5m; ext. D 0.5m) with external bank (int. H 1.5m). The interior of the site is flat with no evidence of any internal structures. Associated with the large enclosure are a number of other earthworks to the S, of these the clearest is a rectangular enclosure (10m x 25m) with a low bank (H 0.3m) orientated NE/SW. Possible medieval moated site (ASI file 1980). This site is situated on flat low lying flood plain of the Yellow River about 300m south of its present course and about 500m north of Ballyburley hill. The site consists of a complex of earthworks based in two fields. The lower earthworks is a sub-rectangular or lozenge shape feature defined by a low fosse and bank rising to a central platform, the external dimensions of the site are 146m between the Southern and Northern corner, 110m between the Eastern and Western corners, the South West to North East diagonal is 86m and the South East to North West diagonal is 110m. The max. internal diameter N-S measures 109m and the E-W diameter measures 93m. This site is almost totally surrounded by a low fosse measuring  on average 0.5m and 5m across. On the South East the fosse widens to nearly 8m but there is evidence of disturbance in this area which may account for the extra width. The exterior of the bank runs between 1m and 2.0m above the fosse. The internal bank is lower and only partially surrounds the site. It is only evident on the Northern, Southern and Eastern corners. On average the internal bank only rises by 0.30m, however on both the Southern corners the bank rises steeply giving an internal bank height of 0.90m to the north and 0.5m to the Southern corner. The form of the bank at the Northern corner is high enough to form a low mound. The interior of the site is flat with no evidence of disturbance. Associated with the large earthwork are a number of other earthworks to the south, of these the clearest is a rectangular feature with a low surrounding bank 0.3m high, it is orientated NE/SW and measures 10m by 25m. A number of these appear modern and may be the remains of clay extraction from the site. 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. Date of upload: 23 May 2011