Moated site in Knockbeg West

In a meadow, on the E bank of the Owenmore River, overlooked to SE and S by undulating rising ground. A level rectangular area (35.4m NE-SW; 25m NW-SE) defined on the NE, SE and SW sides by a scarp (H 0.9m), with an intervening fosse and an outer bank. On the NW side it is defined by the vertical riverbank (H 1m). The scarp is topped by a slight grassy rise (Wth 2m), in parts along the NE side and at the N end of the SE side. The fosse (Wth 3.6m; D 0.7m) is flat-bottomed, waterlogged and marked by a dense growth of rushes. The outer bank (Wth 4.2m; int. H 1.5m; ext. H 0.45m) is broad, low and compact. The enclosing elements stop short of the riverbank on both the NE and SW sides but this appears to be the result of relatively recent disturbance. The entrance (Wth 3m), with a causeway across the fosse, is midway along the SE side where the N terminal of the outer bank is expanded. The interior is densely covered with rushes and irises except for a grassy strip (Wth 3-4m) bordering the riverbank. At the E corner of the interior, a small rectangular two-tiered earthen platform (5m NW-SE; 4m NE-SW) projects from the scarp into the fosse. The SE side (Wth 2m NE-SW) is at the same level as, and is a continuation of, the top of the scarp. The NE side is at a lower level forming a flat step (H 0.45m) that projects 2m into the fosse. The fosse appears to swing out slightly to accommodate the projection but is nevertheless narrower (Wth 2m) here than elsewhere. Opposite the projection the inner face of the outer bank incorporates a significant amount of stone. At the S corner of the interior the scarp incorporates a much less substantial projection (1.2m NE-SW; c. 2.5m NW-SW) into the fosse. On the N half of the SE side, a berm (Wth 4.8m) separates the outer bank from the fosse (Wth 3.5m; D 0.7m) which lies parallel to the outer bank on the SE side but at the E corner swings wide, terminating at the riverbank c. 15 to N. This is clearly visible on an aerial photograph (IASAP, 3038211) but is only barely discernible on the ground. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Sligo' compiled by Ursula Egan, Elizabeth Byrne, Mary Sleeman with Sheila Ronan and Connie Murphy (Dublin Stationery Office, 2005). Date of upload: 18 January 2008