1. Location

2. History

3. Description

4. Historical Landscape

5. Folklore and Local-History

6. References

Moybologue, sometimes Moybolgue, or Moybolg(e) (OIr. Mag Bolcc 'the plain of the Boilg') Motte and Bailey is the location of an Anglo-Norman motte-and-bailey castle and National Monument in Relaghbeg, Bailieborough, County Cavan, Ireland.

Location

Moybologue Motte and Bailey (National Monument Ref. CV034-045-) is located on privately owned land in the townland of Relaghbeg, approximately 6.6 km (4.1 mi) south of Bailieborough, County Cavan, in the province of Ulster. The site is less than 1.0 km (0.6 mi) from the modern Cavan-Meath boundary and is outside the Pale or English Pale of the Late Middle Ages, with Kells, County Meath being the nearest point along the Pale to Moybologue.

The earthworks lies inside the north-western perimeter of an oval ecclesiastical enclosure (National Monument Ref. CV034-046008-) (dims c. 270m E-W; c. 170m N-S;) about 100 metres (328 ft) to the north-west of the medieval St. Patrick's old church (National Monument Ref. CV034-046001-) and graveyard (National Monument Ref. CV034-046007-) Moybologue, on an elevated site with panoramic views of the surrounding East-Cavan and North-Meath countryside.

The megalithic passage tomb complex at Loughcrew (Slieve na Calliagh) is located approximately 25 km from Moybologue and its cairns are clearly visible on the south-western horizon, while the Spire of Lloyd outside Kells, County Meath is a prominent visible landmark on the southern landscape. The nearby Tierworker (Teevurcher) Hills and Lough an Leagh Mountains dominates the horizon to the east-north-east of the site.

History

The motte and bailey at Moybologue is a Late-12th ^[1]or early-13th century fortification, and serves as evidence of the 'permeable frontier of east Bréifne, which represents some of the early incursions of the de Lacys who, as overlords of Meath, attempted to extend their reach northwards before the end of the twelfth century.'^[2] An entry for Manmuce (or Moymok) in The Irish Pipe Roll of John 14, 1211 - 1212 may constitute a corruption of the place-name Moybologue.^[3] Along with the motte at Knocknatemple, Moybologue was probably erected during the direct rule of John de Gray, Bishop of Norwich (1210-1214) 'as a strategic line of command from Meath to Ulster.'^[4] Moybologue Motte and Bailey is representative of 'the limit of Anglo-Norman expansion in the area which is likely to have been curtailed in part by the poorer characteristics of the land further north, considered too poor to support a stable manorial society.'^[5]

Description

The Motte was originally a flat-topped (diam. c. 12m), roughly circular and very steep sided earthen mound (diam. of base c. 30m; H c. 5m), on the top of which would have been built a wooden tower enclosed by a wooden palisade. It is constructed of earth containing many chips of slate, and the fosse is partly rock cut.^[6]Evidence of historic quarrying can be seen on the western portion of the mound. At the base is an almost rectangular-shaped bailey (int. dims c. 35m N-S; c. 20m E-W): an enclosure surrounded by a substantial earthen bank with an external ditch, which has been filled in at the north, and would also have had a defensive wooden palisade on top. There is a low counterscarp bank running along the outer edge of this ditch. There is evidence of a second ditch running between the motte and bailey to the east, but this has also been largely filled in.^[7] Oliver Davies observed that a spur projects towards the motte from the corner of the bailey-wall to narrow the gap, the wall is inturned at this point, and ends at a large boulder which may have been part of an inner gate.^[8] The bailey wall is very large itself, and may have supported a tower, and 'along the entrance a man would have been under observation both from the mote towering to the right and from the inturned bailey-wall on the left.^[9]

Historical Landscape

Pre-historic habitation in the immediate vicinity of Moybologue Motte and Bailey is evidenced by the presence of an Enclosure (CV034-048) immediately to the east of site in the adjacent townland of [https://www.logainm.ie/en/3680?s=srahan Srahan], and additional habitation likely pre-dating or contemporaneous with the Motte and Bailey by the presence of a Ringfort-rath (CV034-047) due west of the site atop a neighbouring drumlin in the townland of Relaghmore.

A smaller earthwork, classified as a 'Castle-Motte,' can be seen on a hill overlooking Bailieborough, in the townland of Tanderagee. (CV034-049) According to the scope note in the National Monuments Service, a Castle-motte is 'An early form of castle consisting of a flat-topped, steep-sided, earthen mound supporting a wooden tower, with an associated courtyard or bailey, which is often raised and enclosed by a bank and fosse. Constructed by the Anglo-Normans in the late 12th and early 13th century AD.'^[10] It is probable that this Motte is contemporaneous with the example at Moybologue.

The configuration of Motte & Bailey, or in some cases just Motte, adjacent or close to an early church site is seen in several locations in the East-Cavan and North-Meath landscape which additional examples at Kilbeg, Robertstown, Cruicetown and Nobber in Co. Meath, and Dervor/Edenburt in Co. Cavan.

Folklore and Local-History

A very strong and persistent local folkloric tradition ascribes the foundation of the adjoining church to the Patron Saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick^[14], and most versions of this story describe the exorcism of a witch or Cailleach Geargain, sometimes called Garrawog, by Saint Patrick. O'Connell, writing again in 1937, identifies the moat as the probable site of a pagan divinity destroyed by St. Patrick, similar to his destruction of the idols at Magh Sleacht.^[15]

A pilgrim to the former home-place of Thomas Sheridan (divine) and Thomas Sheridan (actor) at Quilca House in August 1852 is clearly aware of the oral tradition associated with Moybologue, and reflects on a painting in the famous painted parlour at Quilca House which supposedly represented the 'illustrious "Garage-Maw," or the beautiful woman of the Garraghans, who, unhappily for the neighbourhood appears to have been carnivorously addicted, [...] and her body is buried in the mound of Moybullagh.'^[16] The pilgrim later visits Moybologue as he was curious to see the Mound of Moybullagh which he describes as standing 'Rath-like and queenly on a lofty eminence, commanding much of the country.^[17]

References

• Mabel Mckay
• Mabel McKay
• Mabel Murray Hickson
• Mabelode
• Mabelode the Faceless
• Mabel, Oregon
• Mabel Peacock
• Mabel Public Library
• Mabel Quiller-Couch
• Mabelreign
• Mabel's Adventures
• Mabel's Awful Mistakes
• Mabel's Blunder
• Mabels Blunder
• Mabel (Shrek)
• Mabel Simpson
• Mabel's Latest Prank
• Mabel's Lovers
• Mabel's Nerve
• Mabel's New Job
• Mabel Sonnier Savoie
• Mabel's Stormy Love Affair
• Mabel Tainter Memorial Building
• Mabel Tainter Theater
• Mabel Tamayo Gay