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Ballyroney mound is a medieval motte and two baileys, protected as a scheduled monument by the Historic Environment Division under reference 7934. Located near Banbridge in County Down, the earthwork consists of a substantial central mound surrounded by two associated defended enclosures, representing a substantial fortification of the Norman period. The motte rises prominently above the surrounding landscape, which is underlain by felsic igneous rock of Early Devonian age, exposures of which would have been visible to medieval occupants and may have influenced settlement choice and defensive construction.
Motte and bailey fortifications were typically erected by Norman and Anglo-Norman lords during the 12th and 13th centuries as rapid, effective means of establishing territorial control. The dual baileys at Ballyroney suggest an important holding, with the outer and inner defended spaces capable of sheltering livestock, stores and garrison. The earthwork's preservation allows study of medieval settlement patterns and military strategy in the Ulster region.
Ballyroney mound. motte & 2 baileys is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 7934. View the official record →
Ballyroney mound is a medieval motte and two baileys, protected as a scheduled monument by the Historic Environment Division under reference 7934.
Ballyroney mound. motte & 2 baileys dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a motte & baileys. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Ballyroney mound. motte & 2 baileys 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 7934.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Seafin castle, moycove, moycoua, magh cobha, maincoue. castle & rath reused as bailey (0.8 km), Large platform enclosure (1.6 km), Mound & enclosure (3.3 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of Ballyroney mound. motte & 2 baileys'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.
Ballyroney mound. motte & 2 baileys stands on Unnamed Igneous Intrusion, Late Silurian To Early Devonian, bedrock that formed in the Early Devonian. The rock here is felsic-rock.