Callan Motte

Callan Motte is a motte-and-bailey and National Monument in Callan, Ireland.[1][2]

Callan Motte
Móta Challainn
Shown within Ireland
LocationWestcourt Demesne, Callan,
County Kilkenny, Ireland
RegionKings River Valley
Coordinates52.546657°N 7.391781°W / 52.546657; -7.391781
Typemotte
Length66 m (217 ft) (at base)
Width48 m (157 ft) (at base)
Area780 m2 (8,400 sq ft) (summit area)
Diameter40 m (130 ft)
Height12 metres (39 ft)
History
BuilderGeoffrey FitzRobert
Materialearth
Foundedc. 1217
PeriodsNorman Ireland
CulturesCambro-Norman, Old English
Associated withNormans
Site notes
Public accessyes
Designation
Designations
National Monument of Ireland
Official nameCallan Motte
Reference no.372

Location

Callan Motte is in the centre of Callan, north of the Kings River, west of Upper Bridge Street and east of the N76.[3]

History and archaeology

Motte-and-bailey castles were a primitive type of castle built after the Norman invasion, a mound of earth topped by a wooden palisade and tower.[4]

Callan Motte was built c. 1217 by Geoffrey FitzRobert, seneschal to William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke. In 1307 it was described as ‘a castle, in which there is a hall constructed of wood covered with wooden shingles, a stone chamber, a kitchen and other wooden chambers’.[5]

Local legend claims that cannons were placed on the motte by Oliver Cromwell's soldiers during the 1650 Siege of Callan.

References

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