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Larne Motte is a medieval motte located in Larne, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The earthwork stands on bedrock composed of Palaeogene extrusive rocks, primarily mafic lava and tuff formed during volcanic activity in the Paleogene period. This geology would have provided a naturally stable foundation for the defensive structure, though the volcanic stone underlying the site would have presented significant challenges for medieval construction and ditch-digging.
The motte is a classic example of Norman or Anglo-Norman fortification, consisting of a raised earthen mound designed to support a timber palisade and possibly a wooden tower. Such mottes were rapidly constructed defensive positions, common throughout medieval Ireland and Britain during the 12th and 13th centuries. Their strategic placement often reflected control of communication routes and territorial dominance.
The monument is protected by the Historic Environment Division of the Department for Communities, registered under reference 2420. Larne's position on the County Antrim coast made it strategically significant during the medieval period, and the survival of this motte demonstrates the enduring physical legacy of medieval settlement and defence in the region.
Motte is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 2420. View the official record →
Larne Motte is a medieval motte located in Larne, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 2420.
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.
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 2420.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Kilwaughter mote. motte (5 km), Heavy anti-aircraft battery (5.6 km), Motte (5.8 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 14 strands of 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.
Motte stands on Unnamed Extrusive Rocks, Palaeogene, bedrock that formed in the Paleogene. The rock here is mafic lava and mafic tuff.