MEDIEVAL · MOTTE

Motte

Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 3050
Period
MEDIEVAL
Site type
MOTTE
Nation
Northern Ireland
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR)

Overview

History & significance

Motte is a medieval motte-and-bailey earthwork located in Newtownabbey, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The monument consists of a prominent artificial mound typical of Norman-influenced fortifications constructed during the medieval period, likely dating to the twelfth or thirteenth century. Such mottes served as defensive strongholds and administrative centres for their lords, commanding the surrounding landscape and settlement patterns. The site represents an important example of the feudal military architecture introduced to Ireland during the Anglo-Norman period of medieval settlement and colonisation.

Motte is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 3050. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Motte?

Motte is a medieval motte-and-bailey earthwork located in Newtownabbey, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by DfC Northern Ireland (NISMR) under reference 3050.

What period does Motte date from?

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.

Who is responsible for protecting 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 3050.

What other scheduled monuments are near Motte?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Ballymartin church, old town. pre-norman? & medieval church & graveyard, with well & souterrain (6.8 km), Motte (6.8 km), Carn greine, grania's grave, granny's grave. wedge tomb (7.3 km).

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