Moat of Granard

 

Ancient Moat of Granard

Photograph of Ancient Moat of Granard scanned from "History of County Longford"

Ancient Moat of Granard

Ancient Moat of Granard

Photograph of Ancient Moat of Granard scanned from "History of County Longford"

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Granard Motte

Scanned Photograph of the Granard Motte

Granard Motte

Granard Motte

Scanned Photograph of the Granard Motte

Enlarge image

The moat in Granard, which stands 593 feet above sea level, was built in 1200 by Sir Richard Tuite, an Anglo Norman who was invited into Longford by the Lords of Cairbre.
 

It appears that it was originally cut out of a large hill. The approach to it is steep and it is surrounded by a trench. There is a level and partly hollowed surface at the top, wide enough to support a large body of troops and partly protected by the remains of what formed the rampart of the original fortification.
 

It is likely that the moat was built by Sir Richard as a defence against the attacks of neighbouring Irish chiefs.