{{short description|Motte-and-bailey in Ireland}}{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}} {{Use Irish English|date=March 2021}} {{Infobox historic site | name = Dunnamona | native_name = Dún na Móna | native_language = ga | alternate_name = | image = Motte at Dunnamona, Co. Westmeath - geograph.org.uk - 946491.jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = | image_map = | map_type = Ireland | map_alt = | map_caption = | map_relief = | coordinates = {{coord|53.499548|-7.783629|display=inline,title}} | map_dot_label = | location = Dunnamona, Drumraney, <br/>County Westmeath, Ireland | region = Tethbae | type = motte | part_of = | length = | width = | area = | volume = | diameter = {{convert|36|m|abbr=on}} | circumference = | height = {{convert|9|m|ft}} | builder = Dillon family | material = earth | built = 12th century | abandoned = | epochs = Norman Ireland | cultures = Cambro-Norman, Old English | dependency_of = | occupants = | event = | excavations = | archaeologists = | condition = | ownership = | management = | public_access = yes | embedded = {{Infobox designation list | embed = yes | designation2 = National Monument of Ireland | designation2_offname = Dunnamona | designation2_number = 560<ref>{{cite web |title=National Monuments of County Westmeath in State Care |url=http://www.archaeology.ie/sites/default/files/media/pdf/monuments-in-state-care-westmeath.pdf |page=1 |website=heritageireland.ie |publisher=National Monument Service |accessdate=14 August 2022}}</ref> }} }} '''Dunnamona''' is a motte-and-bailey and National Monument in County Westmeath, Ireland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://drumraneyheritage.com/home/norman-mottes/|title=Buildings and Settlements - Drumraney Heritage|publisher=}}</ref>
==Location== Dunnamona motte is located next to a tributary of the Owenacharra River, {{Convert|4.7|km|abbr=on}} east of Tubberclare.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.geograph.ie/photo/946491|title=Geograph:: Motte at Dunnamona, Co. Westmeath (C) Kieran Campbell|publisher=}}</ref>
==History and archaeology==
Motte-and-bailey castles were a primitive type of castle built by the Norman invasion, a mound of earth topped by a wooden palisade. This region, known as Tethbae, was allotted to the Dillon family, descendants of Sir Henry de Leon (c. 1176 – 1244). They built the motte at Dunnamona ("hillfort of peat") as well as another at Drumraney, later abandoning the mottes for permanent stone castles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boards.ancestry.com/surnames.dillon/1031.3.3.1.2/mb.ashx|title=Message Boards|publisher=}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}} Category:Archaeological sites in County Westmeath Category:National monuments in County Westmeath