Moated site, Killaraght, Co. Sligo
In the quiet pastureland of Killaraght, County Sligo, about 50 metres west of a graveyard, lies the remains of a medieval moated site.
Moated site, Killaraght, Co. Sligo
This rectangular enclosure stretches 31.5 metres from northwest to southeast and approximately 20 metres from northeast to southwest. Three of its sides; the southeast, southwest and northwest; are still clearly defined by an earthen bank that stands about half a metre high on the outside and 0.2 metres on the inside, with a width of 2.4 metres. Running alongside this bank, you can spot the remnants of an external fosse, now appearing as a slight depression where rushes grow abundantly.
The northeastern boundary of the site tells a different story, as centuries of weathering and silting have rendered it almost indistinguishable from the surrounding landscape. However, keen observers might notice a telltale band of rushes that likely marks where the defensive ditch once ran. The interior of the moated site shows signs of deliberate landscaping, with the western side raised to create a dry, level platform; a practical modification that would have made the space more habitable for its medieval occupants.
This moated site doesn’t stand in isolation but forms part of a larger medieval field system in the area, suggesting it was once integrated into the agricultural life of the community. These types of fortified farmsteads were typically built between the 13th and 14th centuries by Anglo-Norman settlers or prosperous farmers who needed both a defensible home and a symbol of their status in the local hierarchy. The moat would have served the dual purpose of defence and drainage, whilst the raised platform provided a dry foundation for timber buildings that have long since disappeared.