Rath Turtle Moat is a ringwork and National Monument located in County Wicklow, Ireland.[1][2]
Ráth Torcaill | |
 A view from the summit of the moat looking south-east towards Blessington Lake | |
  Shown within Ireland | |
| Alternative name | Rathturtle Moat |
|---|---|
| Location | Glen Ding, Blessington, County Wicklow, Ireland |
| Region | Wicklow Mountains |
| Coordinates | 53°10′46″N 6°33′28″W / 53.179395°N 6.557808°W |
| Altitude | 286 m (938 ft) |
| Type | ringwork |
| Length | 49 m (161 ft) |
| Width | 36 m (118 ft) |
| Area | 0.55 ha (1.4 acres) |
| History | |
| Builder | Anglo-Normans |
| Material | earth |
| Founded | 12th century AD |
| Cultures | Anglo-Norman |
| Site notes | |
| Ownership | private |
| Official name | Rathturtle |
| Reference no. | 662 |
Location edit
Rath Turtle Moat is located in Glen Ding Wood, 1.6 km (0.99 mi) northwest of Blessington, overlooking the River Liffey reservoir and near the source of the Morell River.[3]
History edit
The site is believed to derive its name from the Meic Torcaill, a leading Norse-Gaelic family in 12th-century Dublin.[4] The same name is found in that of the townland of Curtlestown (Irish: Baile mhic Torcaill), located west of Powerscourt.[5] The site later came under Norman control. Ringworks like that at Rath Turtle were built during the earliest phase of the Norman conquest of Ireland. They usually had a wooden gate tower, with a stone-lined causewayed entrance and stone-lined banks topped by a wooden palisade.[6] The site has been recognised by the OPW as one of "great historical importance" following an archaeological study of the area.[7]
Description edit
The ringwork is ovoid and consists of a raised central area enclosed by a high earthen bank, an external fosse and an external bank. The entrance is to the south has a causeway across the ditch.
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Dáil Éireann - 14/May/2003 Written Answers. - Archaeological Sites". Houses of the Oireachtas. 14 May 2003. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
- ^ CHI. "The Rath Turtle Ringwork near Blessington, Co. Wicklow".
- ^ "Rath Turtle Moat". Archived from the original on 12 November 2016. Retrieved 30 July 2016.
- ^ Byrne, F. J. (1999:293). Seanchas: Studies in Early and Medieval Irish Archaeology, History and Literature in Honour of Francis J. Byrne. Ireland: Four Courts Press.
- ^ Smyth, A. P. (1982:44). Celtic Leinster: towards an historical geography of early Irish civilization, A.D. 500-1600. Ireland: Irish Academic Press.
- ^ "Co. Kildare Online Electronic History Journal: PLAYING CUPID AMONG THE KILDARE HILLS".
- ^ "Glen Ding identified as being of historical relevance". The Irish Times. Retrieved 7 April 2024.