Unofficial guide. Not the National Monuments Service, the OPW, Fáilte Ireland or the landowner. Disclaimer
At a glance
- TypeCastle - motte and bailey
- Recorded sizeTop: L 10m; W 7.5m; Base: L 22m
Picked out from the Archaeological Survey description below.
Can you visit?
- No source says it is open to the public.Most monuments in Ireland stand on private farmland.
- Ask the landowner before crossing fields, close gates, leave the stones as you find them.Visiting responsibly
History and description
Located in level ground this is a flat-topped elongated mound (Top: L 10m; Wth 7.5m; Base: L 22m) with a flat-bottomed fosse (Wth 5.7m; D 1.25-1.5m) enclosing the north side. There are indications of an intervening berm (Wth 2m).
Full archaeological record 100 words
Located in level ground this is a flat-topped elongated mound (Top: L 10m; Wth 7.5m; Base: L 22m) with a flat-bottomed fosse (Wth 5.7m; D 1.25-1.5m) enclosing the north side. There are indications of an intervening berm (Wth 2m). The fosse stops abruptly in the S where the ground is uneven indicating the possible presence of a bailey (Healy 1975, 26; Flanagan 1984, 24). Geophysical survey (Licence no. 12R0028) was undertaken to define the limits of the motte and bailey. Three potential structures, possible pit-type features and burnt/fired remains were identified to the south of the motte (Nicholls 2012, 3).
Archaeological Survey of Ireland, National Monuments Service (CC BY 4.0) · Compiled by Geraldine Stout · Updated 17 January 2015. It describes the site as it was when surveyed.
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Also recorded nearby
Named sites within 5 km with only a short entry in the Archaeological Survey.
- St. Werburgh's WellRitual site - holy well · Commons East · 4.5 km · official record
Named on Duncan's map (1821) as 'St. Werburgh's Well'. There is however another St Werburgh's well to the southwest (DU011-045----). This well has been built over. No visible remains.
Visitors' notes
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Around Saint Helens Castle
Other heritage nearby
- Malahide ChurchAncient church · 1.4 km
- Burrow ChurchAncient church · 1.7 km
- Lady WellHoly well · 3.0 km
- St Catherine's Well (Malahide)Holy well · 3.2 km
- St Doolagh's WellHoly well · 3.3 km
- Grange AbbeyAncient church · 4.4 km
Recorded within 5 km
- 9 holy wellsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 9 ancient churchesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 7 ringfortsArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 5 castlesArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 ogham stoneArchaeological Survey of Ireland
- 1 monastic siteArchaeological Survey of Ireland
Walks and trails
- Howth - Bog of Frogs LoopWalking Trail · 12.1 km · nearest point 7.2 km
- Howth - Tramline LoopWalking Trail · 7.1 km · nearest point 7.4 km
- Howth - Black Linn LoopWalking Trail · 8.1 km · nearest point 7.5 km
Outdoors, towns and places to stay
- Portmarnock, Velvet Strand BeachBeaches · 1.7 km · Excellent Quality (2025)
- Donabate, Balcarrick BeachBeaches · 4.8 km · Excellent Quality (2025)
- Baldoyle Estuary Nature ReserveNature reserves · 4.2 km
- Rogerstown Estuary Nature ReserveNature reserves · 7.5 km
- DublinWalled towns · 13 km
- Georgian TownhouseHistoric stays · 13 km
- Merrion MewsHistoric stays · 13 km
Other attractions nearby
- Malahide Historical ToursWalking · 1.5 km
- Casino Model Railway MuseumMuseums and Attraction · 1.7 km
- Lambay Nature Walking ToursWalking · 2.1 km
- Velvet Strand, PortmarnockBeach · 3.0 km
What's on nearby
- ON ICE Swords2026-11-05 · 5.2 km
- Scummy Mummies - Hot Mess2026-11-05 · 9.4 km
- Cody Johnson2026-11-05 · 11 km
Excavations nearby
- 01E1074 Site 2 Lissenhall Little, County DublinRoad-scheme excavation report (TII) · 6.2 km
- 01E0831 Site 3 Staffordstown, County DublinRoad-scheme excavation report (TII) · 7.2 km