Moated site, Clegarrow, Co. Meath
Sitting atop a prominent hill in County Meath's rolling countryside, the moated site at Clegarrow offers a glimpse into medieval Irish defensive architecture.
Moated site, Clegarrow, Co. Meath
The site consists of a raised rectangular platform measuring 27 metres east to west and 17 metres north to south, its grassy surface dotted with bushes and marked by old quarry pits. A distinctive scarp runs north to south across the western portion of the summit, creating a subtle 30-centimetre drop in the terrain.
What makes this site particularly interesting is its defensive design. The northern side is protected by an impressive fosse or moat that stretches 6.5 metres wide at its top, with an internal depth of 3.6 metres and an external depth of 1.6 metres. The remaining three sides rely on steep scarps rising approximately 3 metres high for defence. A narrow causeway, just one metre wide at its top, crosses the moat at the eastern end of the northern side, providing the original access point to this fortified position.
These moated sites were typically constructed during the Anglo-Norman period in Ireland, serving as fortified homesteads for colonists or local lords. The combination of natural elevation and artificial defences at Clegarrow would have provided both security and a commanding view of the surrounding landscape, making it an ideal location for a medieval stronghold in this part of Meath.





