Castlemore Moat
| Ráth an Chaisleáin Mhóir | |
 .svg.png){kind=icon} Shown within Ireland | |
| Alternate name | Castlemore Castle, Fotheret O'Nolan, Rathsillan |
|---|---|
| Location |
Castlemore, Fennagh, County Carlow, Ireland |
| Coordinates | 52°48′34″N 6°46′21″W / 52.809489°N 6.772553°WCoordinates: 52°48′34″N 6°46′21″W / 52.809489°N 6.772553°W |
| Type | motte |
| Circumference | 50 metres (55 yd) |
| Height | 9 metres (30 ft) |
| History | |
| Builder | Raymond FitzGerald |
| Material | earth |
| Founded | 12th century |
| Periods | Norman Ireland |
| Cultures | Cambro-Norman, Old English |
| Designation | National Monument |
Castlemore Moat is a motte-and-bailey and National Monument located in County Carlow, Ireland.
Location
Castlemore Moat is located about 2 km northwest of Tullow and 2 km west of the River Slaney. It is not to be confused with Castlemore House, a 19th-century country house located 1 km to the south of the motte.[1]
History and archaeology
The motte and bailey castle was constructed in the 12th century AD by Raymond FitzGerald (Raymond le Gros), one of the commanders of the Norman invasion of Ireland. The land of Forth O'Nolan was granted to Raymond and he married Basilia, sister of Strongbow. They lived together at Castlemore.[2]
All that remains is the motte, an artificial hill about 9 m high, and a standing stone measuring 170 x 45 x 30 cm with a Latin cross inscribed in it, with a suppedaneum (foot-rest at the base). The motte is not a perfect circle, but measures 18 m east-to-west and 13 m north-to-south.[3]