Moated site, Graigue, Co. Kilkenny
In the countryside near Graigue, County Kilkenny, the remnants of a medieval moated site offer a glimpse into Ireland's defensive past.
Moated site, Graigue, Co. Kilkenny
The monument consists of a square raised platform measuring 61 metres on each side internally, surrounded by an earthen bank that once stood between 2 and 3 metres high. This bank, roughly 2 metres wide, was accompanied by an outer fosse or defensive ditch, which would have added another layer of protection to whatever structure once stood within.
Time and agriculture have taken their toll on this ancient fortification. The defensive ditch has been largely filled in on three sides, with only the northern edge maintaining its original form where it now serves as a field boundary. Local stories add intrigue to the site; residents report that a flagged stone surface was discovered when the interior was being levelled, suggesting the presence of a substantial building or courtyard within the enclosure. Such moated sites were typically built between the 13th and 14th centuries, often serving as fortified farmsteads for Anglo-Norman settlers or prosperous Irish families.
The site’s recent history tells a sobering tale of heritage loss. When archaeologist Kieran Campbell surveyed it in 1989, the earthworks were still clearly visible, and satellite imagery from 2017 shows the monument’s outline as a distinct cropmark in the field. However, by 2023, even these ghostly traces had vanished from aerial photographs, suggesting the site has been completely levelled. What remains is a cautionary reminder of how quickly Ireland’s archaeological landscape can disappear beneath modern agricultural practices, taking centuries of history with it.