Moated site, Corkagh Demesne, Co. Dublin
In the public parklands of Corkagh Demesne, you'll find the subtle traces of a medieval past hidden amongst the recreational grounds.
Moated site, Corkagh Demesne, Co. Dublin
The area once housed Corkagh House, a residence that stood within the protective moat of an earlier castle, designated by archaeologists as DU021-011001. This defensive water feature was originally fed by a tributary of the Camac River, creating a formidable barrier that would have deterred unwanted visitors during more turbulent times.
The castle itself has long since vanished, leaving only documentary evidence and the faintest of earthworks to hint at its existence. Corkagh House, which succeeded the medieval fortification, survived considerably longer but met its end in the 1960s when demolition crews reduced it to rubble. Local historian Ua Broin documented the site in 1944, noting the unusual arrangement of the later house sitting within the ancient castle’s moat, a curious architectural choice that preserved the medieval defensive feature long after its military purpose had become obsolete.
Today, visitors to Corkagh Park will find little visible evidence of either structure at ground level. The transformation from private demesne to public amenity has smoothed over most traces of the past, though the site remains significant to archaeological surveys. The compilation work of researchers like Geraldine Stout ensures that these lost landmarks aren’t entirely forgotten, preserving their memory even as the physical remains have disappeared beneath grass and walking paths.