Moatamoy, Boleylug, Co. Wicklow
At the western edge of a promontory in Moatamoy, Boleylug, County Wicklow, an intriguing earthwork commands views over the meeting point of two steep, narrow valleys.
Moatamoy, Boleylug, Co. Wicklow
This circular mound, partly shaped by natural forces and partly by human hands, rises between 14 and 18 metres high with a flattened summit spanning 27 metres across. The main platform is encircled by a substantial berm approximately 6 metres wide, whilst a secondary, narrower ledge about 3.5 metres wide curves around the structure from southwest to northwest, positioned roughly halfway up the mound’s slope.
The defensive nature of the site becomes clear when examining its landward approach. Here, the builders constructed an external bank measuring 2 metres wide and standing 0.8 metres high, accompanied by an outer ditch or fosse that runs from northeast to south. This ditch, 2.5 metres wide and a metre deep, would have effectively cut off access to the promontory from the mainland, transforming the natural defensive advantages of the location into a formidable fortification.
The strategic positioning of this monument, combined with its carefully engineered defensive features, suggests it served as an important stronghold in ancient times. The site’s commanding views over the converging valleys below would have provided early warning of approaching visitors or threats, whilst the combination of natural topography and human modification created a secure elevated position that would have been challenging to assault.





