Shancourt or Meeneglish

Situated on a natural gravel ridge in undulating countryside. Only the wall foundations of a rectangular shaped building (14m N-S; 22m E-W) possibly a castle survive built on top of a rectangular earthwork, with a causewayed entrance at S (Wth 2.5m) which crosses the enclosing moat (Wth 2m; D 3m). There is slight evidence of an external bank at E only. The walls are constructed of uncoursed limestone rubble and on average measure 1.5m thick and stand 0.5m high. There are the remains of a corner tower on the NW angle of the building with evidence of a garderobe chute (0.4m x 0.4m). There is evidence of a base batter on the external wall at this corner. Overall the site appears to consist of a medieval castle of rectangular ground plan with NW corner tower and causeway entrance at S, all of which is enclosed by a deep moat with possible outer bank. This site may be built on an earlier medieval ringwork or ringfort. According to local information this was the site of Hugh de Lacy's castle (ITA Survey 1942). 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

Built in the late medieval period, likely by an Anglo-Norman or Gaelic lord, Shancourt or Meeneglish, Ballybought is important as a rare surviving example of a castle constructed on an earlier earthwork, illustrating the evolution of defensive structures in the region.