Moated site in Coolmore

On low natural rise in wet, rushy terrain in rough pasture. Bivallate ringfort (TS062-085----) located c. 200m to ESE. Circular moated site (diam. 33.6m N-S and E-W) enclosed by a low bank with high stone content (Wth 2.8-3.5m, int. H 0.24-0.33m; ext. H 1.37m), waterlogged, flat-bottomed fosse (Wth 4.2-4.7m; D 1.2-1.69m) and flat-topped stoney outer bank (Wth 4.9m; ext. H 1m). No defined entrance. In the NW quadrant the inner face of the outer bank slopes into the fosse (Wth 6m) to form a slight causeway, this is the only section of fosse that was not waterlogged at time of inspection. Gap (Wth 0.9m) in inner bank in SE quadrant. A deep drain runs roughly N-S along NE quadrant truncating the outer face of the outer bank. Field boundary runs roughly N-S along E quadrant with a deep outer ditch. In the interior there are two definite building footings (TS062-084001-; TS062-084002-) and a third possible footing (TS062-084003-). If contemporary with the moated site the wall-footings of the internal buildings, possibly houses, are medieval in date. One, (TS062-084001-) in the S sector is aligned E-W, the other (TS062-084002-) in the E sector utilises the E bank of the moated site to form the E side of the structure. A possible third structure (TS062-084003-), less well defined then the other two structures, is located in the W sector and appears to utilise the W bank of the moated site to form the W side of the structure. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 26 August 2011