Moated site, Kildrum, Co. Cork

Moated site, Kildrum, Co. Cork

In the level pastures of Kildrum, County Cork, lies a medieval moated site that forms a distinctive trapezoidal enclosure in the landscape.

Moated site, Kildrum, Co. Cork

The site measures approximately 66 metres from northeast to southwest and 65 metres from northwest to southeast, defined by substantial earthen banks that still stand over a metre high. These banks run along the northwest, eastern and south-southeastern sides, whilst the west-southwestern edge is marked by a natural scarp. Outside these defensive earthworks, you can still trace the remains of an external fosse, or defensive ditch, which reaches depths of around 0.7 metres. Today, this ancient ditch remains waterlogged; boggy on the eastern and west-southwestern sections, and completely flooded along the south-southeastern side.

The interior of the enclosure reveals intriguing features that hint at its complex history. A low linear bank extends from the centre of the northwestern bank towards the middle of the site, ending in an irregular mound composed of soil that differs notably in colour from the surrounding earthworks. At the centre lies an extensive spread of black soil, slightly elevated above the general interior level, possibly indicating the location of former structures or intensive activity. The northern angle contains an L-shaped feature visible as a soil mark, whilst a depression measuring 3 metres across and 0.75 metres deep can be found just inside the eastern bank. Recent ploughing of the interior has likely disturbed some archaeological features, though the main earthworks remain intact.



Two original gateways provided access to the enclosure; one at the southwestern end of the south-southeastern bank and another at the northern corner. Perhaps most remarkably, the site preserves evidence of two souterrains, those enigmatic underground passages characteristic of early medieval Ireland. One souterrain is built into the northwestern bank itself, whilst a second lies approximately 10 metres to the northeast, suggesting this was once a significant settlement with substantial underground storage or refuge facilities.

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Kildrum, Co. Cork
52.27186282, -8.23289763
52.27186282,-8.23289763
Kildrum 
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