Moated site in Knockbeg West

In level pasture on the S bank of the Owenmore River. Immediately to S is undulating rising ground, much of which has been dug away by extensive quarrying c. 50m to S. A rectangular area (29m N-S; 53m E-W) enclosed on the E, S, W sides by a bank (Wth 3m; int. H 0.6m; ext. H 1m) and an external fosse (Wth c. 3.8m; D 0.7m). On the N side there is a broad low stony scarp (Wth c. 4m; H 0.4m) that slopes to within 4m of the river. This, however, extends beyond the limits of the enclosure and appears to represent a natural break of slope incorporated into a field boundary. It is difficult to examine as a dense thicket of bushes and overgrowth line the river's edge. The bank is compact and sod-covered. The fosse is clearly marked by a dense growth of irises even though its outer edge is generally poorly defined. On the E side the bank has been levelled to a slight grassy rise and the fosse is infilled to a shallow depression. The entrance (Wth 2.3m), with a causeway across the fosse, is towards the W end of the S side. The interior is covered by long grass, rushes and irises. There is a circular flat-topped mound (19m E-W; 19m N-S; H 1.8m at N, 1.5m at S) with broadly sloping sides in the SW quadrant, the level top (diam. c.10m) of which has a slight depression. A somewhat similar but probably natural, flat-topped rise (c. 20m N-S; c. 10m E-W) protrudes from the gentle S-facing slope c.15m to NE. Another moated site (SL026-021001-) lies 20m to W and a possible rectangular enclosure (SL026-021003-) lies 20m to E. 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