Lemonstown Motte facts for kids
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Móta Bhaile an Leamóntaigh
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 Location in Ireland
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| Location | Lemonstown, Dunlavin, County Wicklow, Ireland |
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| Region | Wicklow Mountains |
| Coordinates | 53°05′07″N 6°39′27″W / 53.085262°N 6.657435°W |
| Altitude | 256 m (840 ft) |
| Type | motte |
| Area | 0.18 ha (0.44 acres) |
| Diameter | 12 m (39 ft) |
| Height | 7.6 m (25 ft) |
| History | |
| Material | earth |
| Founded | 12th/13th century |
| Cultures | Hiberno-Norman |
| Site notes | |
| Ownership | private |
| Official name | Lemonstown Motte |
| Reference no. | 419 |
Lemonstown Motte is an ancient earth mound, known as a motte, located in County Wicklow, Ireland. It is also recognized as a National Monument, which means it's a very important historical site protected by the country. This motte was built by the Normans, who were powerful invaders from France, around the 12th or 13th century.
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Where to Find Lemonstown Motte
Lemonstown Motte is situated in a place called Lemonstown. It's about halfway between two towns: Dunlavin and Hollywood. A small stream called the Toor Brook flows about 1.8 kilometers (just over a mile) to the east of the motte. This area is part of the beautiful Wicklow Mountains region.
A Look Back: History of the Motte
Who Built It?
Lemonstown Motte was built during the Norman period, sometime in the 12th or 13th century. The Normans were originally Vikings who settled in Normandy, France. In 1066, they conquered England, and by the late 1100s, they began to arrive in Ireland.
Why Build a Motte?
When the Normans came to Ireland, they needed quick and easy ways to protect themselves and control the land they had taken. Mottes were perfect for this!
- They were simple to build using earth and wood.
- They could be put up very quickly.
- They gave the Norman lords a high place to look out for enemies.
- They showed everyone who was in charge.
A motte was like a mini-castle. It was a large, artificial mound of earth, often with a wooden tower or fort on top. This tower would have been used as a lookout point and a place of defense.
What Lemonstown Motte Looks Like
Lemonstown Motte is a round mound of earth. It measures about 12 meters (almost 40 feet) across, which is like the length of a large bus. It stands about 7.6 meters (about 25 feet) high, which is roughly the height of a two-story building.
The Motte and Bailey Design
Most mottes were part of a larger defensive structure called a "motte-and-bailey" castle.
- The motte was the tall mound with the main tower.
- The bailey was a flat, enclosed area next to the motte. This area was usually surrounded by a ditch and a wooden fence (palisade). The bailey would have contained buildings like stables, workshops, and homes for soldiers and servants.
At Lemonstown Motte, the entrance to the mound is on the north side. While the wooden structures are long gone, the earth mound itself remains as a reminder of this important time in Irish history.
