Round Hill Lismore County Waterford is spectacularly sited along the banks of the River Blackwater, just outside Lismore Heritage Town.
Round Hill Anglo Norman Motte and Bailey, Lismore.
This large defensive earthen castle known as a motte and bailey and the site that we see today was probably constructed by the Anglo Normans in the late 12th century. Given its location and size, the motte and bailey may have been constructed on an earlier site. The motte and bailey 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. The Round Hill is of impressive scale and has the advantage of being a robust monument which is not only visually imposing in the landscape, but is integral to the story of the town of Lismore.
The Community Group: Lismore Heritage Company and Lismore Tidy Towns
Lismore Heritage Company was established to help to preserve and promote the cultural and heritage attractions of Lismore, West Waterford and its environs for home and overseas visitors. The group applied for the scheme as the site at Round Hill was overgrown by vegetation and almost inaccessible for visitors. The Adopt a Monument team helped to provide advice in helping to conserve the monument and to provide better access for visitors.
Funding was obtained to carry out a historical and topographical survey. The historical study provided a glimpse into the origins of the site that we see today. The topographical survey that was carried out in July 2016 helped to define this enormous and complex site and volunteers from the local community took part in carrying out the survey. Further surveys were carried out during 2017, including a geophysical survey of the site as well as studies on the natural habitat and geology.
Lismore Heritage Company received funding in 2019 under the Heritage Council-backed Creative Ireland / Adopt A Monument Scheme and commissioned Dave Pollock to produce an interpretive panel on the Roundhill Motte & Bailey site which includes a conjectural sketch and information on the site gleaned from various reports.