Moated site, Honeypound, Co. Limerick
In the low-lying wet pastures of Honeypound, County Limerick, a rectangular earthwork rises modestly from the surrounding landscape, offering good views across the countryside in every direction.
Moated site, Honeypound, Co. Limerick
This moated site, first documented by Barry in 1981 and later surveyed by the Archaeological Survey of Ireland in 2000, represents a common type of medieval settlement found throughout Ireland. The raised platform measures approximately 15 metres east to west and 12 metres north to south, defined by a scarp that stands 0.8 metres high with a width of 3.2 metres.
Surrounding this elevated area is an external fosse, or defensive ditch, with a basal width of 2 metres and an overall width of 6.4 metres, though time has reduced its depth to just 0.6 metres. The monument sits precisely at the intersection of historic townland boundaries; Skagh lies 110 metres to the southwest, whilst Corrabull is located 155 metres to the southeast. These boundaries have remained remarkably consistent over the centuries, with a relic field boundary still following the outer line of the fosse along the northern side of the site.
Modern technology has provided new perspectives on this ancient structure. Digital Globe orthophotos from 2011 to 2013 and Google Earth imagery from June 2018 clearly show the tree-planted earthwork from above, revealing its distinctive rectangular footprint against the pastoral landscape. These aerial views, combined with the Archaeological Survey of Ireland’s detailed sketch plans and cross-sections, help us understand how medieval communities shaped and defended their settlements in the Irish countryside, creating features that have endured for centuries despite the wet conditions of their lowland setting.





