County: Monaghan Site name: MANNA CASTLE, Donaghmoyne
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 99E0044 ext.
Author: Eoghan Moore
Site type: Castle - motte and bailey
Period/Dating: Multi-period
ITM: E 684033m, N 803729m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.976000, -6.719000
The major outcome of the excavation at Mannan Castle during 2001 was the uncovering of a stone-lined trench to the west of the forge structure. A pear-shaped feature was also uncovered immediately to the north-east of this linear feature. This semicircular feature has not been interpreted. In addition to the uncovering of the stone-lined trench, the remainder of the perimeter trench was also excavated.
An extensive rectangular deposit of soil (part of which was uncovered during the 2000 season; Excavations 2000, No. 794) was fully exposed during the excavation of the western extension to the original extension to Cutting 1. However, the precise nature of this deposit was not resolved. The remainder of the perimeter trench was also excavated.
The remains of the possible second structure, which had been uncovered to the east of the forge structure uncovered during the 2000 excavation season, were not uncovered this year. It seems clear, then, that this second structure does not in fact exist.
The research excavation at Mannan Castle was funded by the National Monuments and Historic Properties, Dúchas, on the recommendation of the National Committee for Archaeology of the Royal Irish Academy.
Prospect House, Dunsrim, Scotshouse, Co. Monaghan
