Rathwire, Meath.—Rathwire was the portion of Robert de Lacy (Song, 3150), and a castle was built here by Hugh de Lacy.[1096] There is a motte and bailey, with considerable remains of foundations in the bailey, and one wing bank going up the motte. [B. T. S.]
*Ratouth, Meath, now Ratoath (Cal., i., 110).—A castle of Hugh de Lacy. There is “a conspicuous mount” near the church, about which there is a legend that Malachy, first king of all Ireland, held a convention of states (Lewis). It is marked in the map.
*Rokerel (Cal., i., 81).—Unidentified.
Roscrea, Tipperary (Cal., i., 81).—A motte and bretasche were built here in King John’s reign, as is recorded in an inquisition of 29 Henry III. (Cal., i., 412). There is no motte now at Roscrea, but an Edwardian castle with mural towers and no keep; a 14th-century gatehouse tower. Here we have a proved instance of a motte completely swept away by an Edwardian transformation.[1097] [E. S. A.]
Skreen, Meath.—Giraldus mentions the castle of Adam de Futepoi, and as Skreen was his barony, his castle must have been at Skreen. In the grounds of the modern castellated house at Skreen there is a motte, 11 feet high (probably lowered), with a terrace round its flank; some slight traces of a bailey. [B. T. S.]
Slane, Meath.—The Song relates the erection of a motte by Richard the Fleming: “un mot fist cil jeter pur ses enemis grever.”[1098] It also tells of its destruction by the Irish, but does not give its name, which is supplied by the Annals of Ulster. Probably Richard the Fleming restored his motte after its destruction, for there is still a motte on the hill of Slane, with a large annular bailey,[1099] quite large enough for the “100 foreigners, besides women and children and horses,” who were in it when it was taken. The motte has still a slight breastwork round the top. The modern castle of the Marquis of Conyngham, below, incorporates half a round tower of 13th-century work, belonging no doubt to the stone castle which succeeded the motte.[1100] [B. T. S.]
Thurles, Tipperary (Dorles, Cal., i., 81).—A castle of Theobald Walter. Thurles Castle has a late keep with trefoil windows, and according to Grose was built by the Earl of Ormond in 1328. From information on the spot it appears that there used to be a motte in the gardens behind the castle; mentioned also by Lewis. [B. T. S.]
Tibraghny, or Tipperaghny, Kilkenny (Gir., i., 386; Cal., i., 19).—Granted to William de Burgh in 1200; built by John in 1185.[1101] A motte, with ditch and bank, and some trace of a half-moon bailey to the north. About 200 yards away is the stone castle, a late keep with ogee windows. [B. T. S.]
Timahoe, Queen’s Co. (Gir., i., 356).—Built by Hugh de Lacy for Meiler Fitz Henry. A motte, called the Rath of Ballynaclogh, half a mile west of the village. The bailey, the banks and ditches of which seem remarkably well preserved, is almost circular, but the motte is placed at its edge, not concentrically. There are wing-banks running up the motte. Near it are the ruins of a stone castle built in Elizabeth’s reign (Grose). [B. T. S.]
Trim, Meath.—The Song tells of the erection of this castle by Hugh de Lacy, and how in his absence the meysun (the keep—doubtless wooden) was burnt by the Irish, and the mot levelled with the ground. This express evidence that the first castle at Trim had a motte is of great value, because there is no motte there now. The castle was restored by Raymond le Gros,[1102] but so quickly that the present remarkable keep can hardly have been built at that date.[1103] [B. T. S.]