Relagh Beg Norman Motte and Bailey This is one of the most impressive Norman motte and bailey castle sites in the country. The commanding views of the surrounding countryside are stunning. This splendid Norman fortification was situated within a large oval shaped ecclessiastical enclosure. The 270 metre wide (E-W) enclosure incorporated the motte and bailey in the north-west corner and the wonderful Moybologue Church and graveyard in the south-east corner. The church stands approximately 100 metres south-east of the motte and we strongly recommend a visit.
This is one of only eight norman mottes situated in County Cavan. The motte is thirty metres in diameter at the base and stands five metres high, with very steep sides. The large rectangular bailey is situated on the eastern side of the motte. The fosse has almost been entirely filled in between the motte and bailey. The bailey was enclosed by a high bank with a deep external fosse, this has also been mostly filled in at the north western quarter, but the south eastern section is still really impressive. The image above was taken from the bailey looking west towards the motte. |
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Partly filled in fosse |
From the west |
Situated: From Baileborough head south on the R191 for about 5.5 kilometres, then turn left, the motte is one kilometre down here on your left. In a field to the north west of Moybologue Church. Discovery Map 35: N 6896 9198. Last visit April 2022. Longitude: 6° 57' 07.7" W Latitude: 53° 52' 22.3"N Photos: Jose Gutierrez. |
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