Moated site, Sheepstown, Co. Westmeath
Sitting atop a steep ridge in Sheepstown, County Westmeath, this medieval moated site commands sweeping views across the surrounding grasslands.
Moated site, Sheepstown, Co. Westmeath
The earthwork remains, dating back centuries, consist of a raised rectangular platform measuring approximately 24 metres north to south and 27 metres east to west. Though time and agricultural activity have taken their toll, the northern bank remains the best preserved section of the enclosure, whilst the other sides have been almost completely levelled. The interior of the site rises noticeably towards its centre, suggesting the possible location of former structures.
The most intriguing feature is found in the northeast corner, where a curved earthen bank with an external ditch, or fosse, creates a distinct sub-rectangular area measuring roughly 5.3 by 5.8 metres. This smaller enclosed space, accessible through a gap halfway along the bank, likely marks the remains of a medieval house site. The configuration suggests this was once a defended homestead, typical of the Anglo-Norman settlements that dotted the Irish landscape from the 12th century onwards.
Historical records provide valuable context for understanding the site’s significance. The 1837 Ordnance Survey six-inch map depicts the earthwork as roughly rectangular, bisected by an east-west field boundary along its northern edge. Archaeological surveys note that quarrying has damaged the external southwest side of the monument, and another earthwork lies just 230 metres to the southwest, hinting at a broader medieval landscape in this area. These moated sites were typically home to minor lords or prosperous farmers who needed defensible residences during the politically turbulent medieval period.