La Granard Motte & Bailey - Motte castrale • Go-to-Ireland.com

Origins and construction

The fortifications at Granard Motte were built around 1199 by Richard de Tuit, an Anglo-Norman knight. This structure was built on and around an existing hill, linked to a local lineage of the Ó Fearghail (Farrell) clan.

As a reminder, the Anglo-Normans were the first to introduce the motte castrale concept to Ireland. It was in fact a large mound of artificial earth topped by a wooden or stone fort. It often had an adjoining fortified courtyard (bailey).

It is likely that Granard Motte was conceived as a frontier castle on the northwestern edge of the Anglo-Norman lordship of Meath, with the aim of containing the rival O’Reilly family of South Breffny.

In 1210, King John of England stopped here during his campaign against Hugues de Lacy, establishing Granard Motte as a royal stronghold. It represented a symbol of power and authority, dominating the landscape and asserting Norman presence in the region.

The site was later renamed Rath Granard… before falling into oblivion over the centuries as warfare and fortification techniques evolved. My mottes castrales like Granard lost their importance and were eventually abandoned…

Description of the initial construction

Today, all that remains is the motte, the building having all but disappeared.

However, it is thought that the original structure at the top of the motte was probably made of wood, which was common for early mottes castrales. These wooden constructions could be erected relatively quickly, but were also susceptible to damage or destruction by fire.