© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR)
Ballyhackett motte is a medieval motte located in Larne, County Antrim. The earthwork rises from bedrock composed of Palaeogene extrusive rocks, mafic lavas and tuffs that underlie this coastal district. This volcanic geology provides a firm foundation for the substantial defensive earthwork, typical of Norman lordship strategies in twelfth-century Ulster. The motte comprises a raised, flattened mound designed to support a timber palisade and keep building, overlooking the surrounding terrain and serving as a territorial marker and stronghold. As one of several mottes established across Ulster during the period of Anglo-Norman settlement, Ballyhackett exemplifies the military architecture used to consolidate control of new domains. The monument is protected by the Historic Environment Division under statutory record 2415, ensuring preservation of this important element of medieval settlement archaeology in the Larne landscape.
Ballyhackett motte. motte is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 2415. View the official record →
Ballyhackett motte is a medieval motte located in Larne, County Antrim. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 2415.
Ballyhackett motte. motte dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a motte. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Ballyhackett motte. motte is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Ni. The official designation reference is 2415.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including St john of kilglan, old graveyard (for children), rector of kilglan. medieval church & graveyard (3.8 km), Motte (3.9 km), Mound & chamber (4.6 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Ballyhackett motte. motte's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Ballyhackett motte. motte stands on Unnamed Extrusive Rocks, Palaeogene, bedrock that formed in the Paleogene. The rock here is mafic lava and mafic tuff.