Castle Naghten facts for kids

Castle Naghten is a really old site in County Roscommon, Ireland. It's what we call a motte, which is a special kind of early castle. Today, it's protected as a National Monument, meaning it's an important historical place for everyone to learn about.

Where is Castle Naghten?

Castle Naghten is found about 2 kilometers (a little over a mile) east of a village called Brideswell. It sits right on the east bank of the Cross River.

What is a Motte?

Early Castles in Ireland

After the Normans arrived in Ireland in the late 1100s, they started building a new type of castle. These weren't the big stone castles you might imagine. Instead, they were simpler, quicker to build, and very effective for their time.

How Mottes Were Built

A motte (pronounced "mott") was basically a large mound of earth. Imagine a big hill, often man-made, with a flat top. On top of this mound, the Normans would build a strong wooden fence, called a palisade, and a wooden tower. This tower was like a lookout post and a safe place to defend from.

Right next to the motte, there was usually a larger, flat area called a bailey. This bailey was also surrounded by a wooden fence and sometimes a ditch. It was where soldiers, horses, and supplies would be kept. Together, these two parts formed a "motte-and-bailey" castle.

History of Castle Naghten

Why Was Castle Naghten Built?

The motte at Castle Naghten was built in the late 12th century. Its main job was to control an important travel route. This route went from a town called Athlone all the way to Rindown.

Controlling the Route

This path was not easy to travel! It was narrow and tough, especially because it passed through lots of bogland (wet, marshy ground). By building Castle Naghten in this spot, the Normans could keep an eye on anyone using the route and make sure it was safe for their own people. It was a strategic point to control the area.