Castle - motte, Haywood Demesne, Co. Laois
Within the grounds of Haywood House in County Laois stands a substantial earthen mound that bears witness to medieval fortification practices in Ireland.
Castle - motte, Haywood Demesne, Co. Laois
This circular, flat-topped structure measures approximately 18.6 metres across its summit, expanding to roughly 40 metres at its base. The mound rises between 3.5 and 9.5 metres high, depending on the surrounding ground level, creating an imposing presence in the landscape.
The mound is classified as a motte, a type of castle earthwork that formed the centrepiece of early Norman fortifications in Ireland. These structures typically supported a wooden tower or palisade at their summit, serving as both defensive strongholds and symbols of Norman authority following their arrival in the 12th century. Archaeological survey work has identified what appears to be the remains of a fosse, or defensive ditch, along the southeastern and southwestern sides of the mound, which would have provided additional protection to the site.
The archaeological significance of this site was formally recognised in the Archaeological Inventory of County Laois, published by the Dublin Stationery Office in 1995. The inventory, compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock, and Bernie Moran, documented this and other important archaeological features across the county, though ongoing research continues to refine our understanding of these medieval earthworks and their role in shaping the Irish landscape.