Castlemore Moat

Standing here in the rolling pasturelands of County Carlow, we are looking at a monumental relic of the Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland: the Castlemore Moat. Though the word 'moat' often conjures images of water-filled ditches…

As we walk toward the base of the mound, notice the sheer steepness of its profile. This was not just for height; it was for defense. …

Let us examine the deep depression surrounding the base of the motte—the fosse. While it is now partially filled with silt and overgrown with brambles, it was once much deeper and served as the first line of defense. …

While the motte was the stronghold, the life of the castle took place in the bailey. This was an enclosed courtyard, usually kidney-shaped, attached to the base of the mound. …

The history of Castlemore is inextricably linked to Raymond FitzGerald, nicknamed 'le Gros' due to his bulky stature. He was one of the most capable and feared of the initial Norman invaders. …

To the trained eye, Castlemore Moat is not just a mound of dirt; it is a repository of information. Although this specific motte has not been subject to extensive modern excavation, similar sites in Ireland have yielded a wealth…

Why did Castlemore remain an earthwork while other sites, like Carlow Castle, became massive stone fortresses? This question gets to the heart of the shifting frontiers of medieval Ireland. …

As we conclude our tour of Castlemore Moat, we leave behind a site that is both a monument to conquest and a masterpiece of early engineering. These earthen walls have stood for over 800 years, outlasting the wooden towers they…