Mannan Castle
Mannan Castle | |
---|---|
Native name motte-and-bailey | |
Location | Donaghmoyne, Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, Ireland |
Coordinates | 54°00′26″N 6°41′56″W / 54.007251°N 6.698852°W |
Area | Farney |
Height | 12.5 m (41 ft) |
Built | 1193 |
Owner | public |
Official name | Mannan Castle |
Reference no. | 382[1] |
Mannan Castle is a
Location
Mannan Castle is located on mannan Castle Golf Club, on a south-facing slope of a limestone drumlin ridge about 3 km (1.9 mi) northeast of Carrickmacross.[3]
History
This site is believed to have been the ancient capital of Airgíalla (Oriel), a kingdom originating sometime in the pre-Christian era (according to semi-mythical accounts, it was founded by The Three Collas in AD 331).
A
Various local legends attach to the castle; one claims that the mortar was made with animal blood and this is why a stone cannot be dislodged from the wall. Another connects the name with a druid named Manann, although the early names are derived from Irish maighean ("of the plain").[4][5][6]
The first archaeological survey of the site was carried out in 1910 by Henry Morris. Later excavations found large amounts of iron slag, pottery, iron nails and ironworking tools in the southern part of the bailey.[7][8]
Building
Mannan Castle is a motte (12.5 m high) and inner bailey connected by a causeway with a ditch and an outer bailey without a ditch. The stone ruins of a keep are atop the motte.[9]
References
- ^ "National Monuments of County Monaghan in State Care" (PDF). heritageireland.ie. National Monument Service. p. 1. Retrieved 2 July 2020.
- ISBN 9781860113277– via Google Books.
- ISBN 9781135948245– via Google Books.
- ^ "Mannan Castle".
- ^ "The Schools' Collection » St Peter's, Phibsboro".
- ^ "Manann Castle".
- ^ "Mannan Castle excavation - Donaghmoyne.com".
- ^ "4632 « Excavations".
- ^ "Mannan Castle - Monaghan Tourism". Monaghan Tourism.