MEDIEVAL · MOTTE

Motte

Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland
NISMR MonID 3624
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 dates to the Norman period, reflecting the wave of castle-building that followed Anglo-Norman settlement in Ulster during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. The site comprises an artificial mound typical of early Norman military architecture, designed to support a timber or stone fortification commanding the surrounding landscape. Such mottes served as strategic defensive positions and symbols of lordly authority across medieval Ireland and Britain.

Motte is a scheduled monument protected by Department for Communities NI under reference 3624. 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 3624.

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 3624.

What other scheduled monuments are near Motte?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Rough fort. motte (5.4 km), Lyles hill. neolithic palisaded settlement & late bronze age - iron age hilltop enclosure (6.5 km), Lyles hill. round cairn (6.5 km).

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