Moated site, Myaugh, Co. Wexford

Co. Wexford |

Castle Features

Moated site, Myaugh, Co. Wexford

In the quiet countryside of County Wexford, a rectangular raised platform sits in a valley alongside a small stream that flows from east to west.

This medieval moated site at Myaugh reveals itself differently depending on how you look at it; from above in aerial photographs, it appears as a distinct cropmark, whilst on the ground it manifests as a raised rectangular area measuring approximately 40 metres northwest to southeast and 35 metres northeast to southwest. The site is defined by what remains of its defensive fosse or moat, still visible along its western and northern sides with a width of 3 to 5 metres.

The enclosure represents a type of medieval settlement particularly common in Ireland during the 13th and 14th centuries, when Anglo-Norman colonists and wealthy Irish families built these defended homesteads across the countryside. Moated sites like this one typically consisted of a rectangular platform surrounded by a water-filled ditch, which would have supported a timber hall or tower house along with associated farm buildings. The moat served both defensive and drainage purposes, keeping the living area dry whilst deterring unwanted visitors.

Today, a north-south laneway cuts across the southeast corner of the site, evidence of centuries of continued agricultural use of the land. The site's preservation as a cropmark is particularly noteworthy; these marks appear when buried archaeological features affect crop growth, creating patterns visible from above. Modern technology has given us new ways to appreciate these ancient sites, with Google Earth imagery from 2018 clearly showing the outline of this 700-year-old settlement, ensuring that even as the physical remains gradually fade into the landscape, their imprint remains visible to those who know where to look.

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Pete F
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