Castle - motte, Inishmore Island, Co. Sligo
On the western shore of Inishmore Island in Lough Arrow stands an intriguing medieval earthwork that offers a glimpse into Ireland's turbulent past.
Castle - motte, Inishmore Island, Co. Sligo
This grass-covered mound rises 4.5 metres from its base, with a flat top measuring roughly 5 by 4 metres and steeply sloping sides that extend to a base diameter of about 23 metres. The structure is surrounded by a defensive ditch, or fosse, on all sides except where it meets the lake shore to the west. Along the northwestern to northeastern arc, remnants of an external bank are still visible, standing about 2 metres high on the inside and just over a metre on the outer edge.
What makes this site particularly interesting is the rectangular platform attached to the south side of the main mound. This addition, measuring approximately 12.5 by 15 metres, appears to have served as a bailey; a fortified courtyard typical of Norman castle design. It’s defined by ditches along its north and south sides, whilst the western edge drops sharply towards the water. The eastern boundary has become less distinct over time, but the overall layout clearly suggests this was once a small motte and bailey castle, likely built during the Anglo-Norman period when such fortifications were common throughout Ireland.
The castle’s strategic position on Inishmore Island would have given its occupants control over movement across Lough Arrow, whilst the surrounding water provided natural defence on at least one side. Today, mysterious lines of submerged boulders can be seen near the shoreline just north of the mound, though their exact purpose remains unclear. They might represent the remains of a landing stage, additional fortifications, or simply natural rock formations. The entire complex stands as a well-preserved example of how medieval lords once projected power across the Irish landscape, using relatively simple earth and timber fortifications to establish their authority in contested territories.