Moated site, Assagart, Co. Wexford
Situated on a southeast-facing slope in Assagart, County Wexford, this rectangular medieval moated site offers a glimpse into Ireland's defensive past.
Moated site, Assagart, Co. Wexford
The enclosure measures approximately 40 metres from northeast to southwest and 30 metres from northwest to southeast, with its distinctive outline clearly visible on modern LiDAR imagery captured during the realignment of the N25 New Ross to Wexford road. First reported by researcher Sinéad Marshall, the site features what appears to be a widely spread bank and outer moats that would have once provided protection for whatever structure stood within.
The moated site represents a type of medieval settlement that became common across Ireland during the Anglo-Norman period, typically dating from the 13th to 14th centuries. These enclosed homesteads served as defended farmsteads for colonists and local lords alike, with the water-filled moats offering both practical defence and a display of status. The rectangular shape of the Assagart example is typical of these sites, which often housed timber or stone buildings, agricultural stores, and sometimes small communities within their protective boundaries.
Modern technology has brought new life to understanding this historic site; Google Earth imagery from April 2015 shows the earthworks clearly, whilst LiDAR scanning has revealed the precise dimensions and layout that might otherwise be obscured by vegetation or agricultural activity. These digital tools allow historians and archaeologists to study sites like Assagart without invasive excavation, preserving them for future generations whilst still advancing our knowledge of medieval Irish settlement patterns.





