Dunnamona is a motte-and-bailey and National Monument in County Westmeath, Ireland.[2]
Dún na Móna | |
 | |
  Shown within Ireland | |
| Location | Dunnamona, Drumraney, County Westmeath, Ireland |
|---|---|
| Region | Tethbae |
| Coordinates | 53°29′58″N 7°47′01″W / 53.499548°N 7.783629°W |
| Type | motte |
| Diameter | 36 m (118 ft) |
| Height | 9 metres (30 ft) |
| History | |
| Builder | Dillon family |
| Material | earth |
| Founded | 12th century |
| Periods | Norman Ireland |
| Cultures | Cambro-Norman, Old English |
| Site notes | |
| Public access | yes |
| Official name | Dunnamona |
| Reference no. | 560[1] |
Location
editDunnamona motte is located next to a tributary of the Owenacharra River, 4.7 km (2.9 mi) east of Tubberclare.[3]
History and archaeology
editMotte-and-bailey castles were a primitive type of castle built by the Norman invasion, a mound of earth topped by a wooden palisade. This region, known as Tethbae, was allotted to the Dillon family, descendants of Sir Henry de Leon (c. 1176 – 1244). They built the motte at Dunnamona ("hillfort of peat") as well as another at Drumraney, later abandoning the mottes for permanent stone castles.[4]
References
edit- ^ "National Monuments of County Westmeath in State Care" (PDF). heritageireland.ie. National Monument Service. p. 1. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- ^ "Buildings and Settlements - Drumraney Heritage".
- ^ "Geograph:: Motte at Dunnamona, Co. Westmeath (C) Kieran Campbell".
- ^ "Message Boards".