Moated site, Jossestown, Co. Tipperary South
In the gently sloping pastures of Jossestown, County Tipperary South, lies a medieval moated site that offers a glimpse into Ireland's defensive past.
Moated site, Jossestown, Co. Tipperary South
This roughly square earthwork, measuring about 40 metres north to south and 38 metres east to west, consists of a raised bank and a wide, waterlogged fosse (defensive ditch) that would have protected whatever structure once stood within. The bank rises over two metres above the external ground level, whilst the fosse itself spans more than three metres wide and drops 1.3 metres deep, with steep sides that would have made any unauthorised approach difficult.
Time and agricultural use have left their mark on this ancient fortification. The eastern side has suffered the most damage, with the fosse completely filled in to create a laneway through the site, leaving only a slight rise where the bank once stood proud. In contrast, the western side remains largely intact, though heavily overgrown with scrub, its fosse still waterlogged as it would have been centuries ago. The northern bank shows evidence of cattle damage along its steep external face, whilst the southern side reveals some stone construction within the earthwork, suggesting more substantial building techniques than simple earth moving.
Within the enclosure, a small earthen mound near the northern bank hints at the possible location of former buildings or structures. Today, the site serves a more mundane purpose; cattle feeders in the northeast quadrant have caused further erosion to what remains of the eastern bank. From this quiet field, you can see Donaghmore church perched on a ridge to the south, with another ringfort visible just 200 metres away, reminders that this landscape was once dotted with such defensive structures, each telling its own story of medieval Irish life and the need for protection in uncertain times.





