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David Haslam | all galleries >> Galleries >> ireland > Knockgraffon Motte
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01-APR-2007

Knockgraffon Motte

Co. Tipperary

This is one of the best preserved Mottes. It was built in the early days of the Norman invasion. It would have had a wooden tower on top and the sides would have been steeper. The ridges on the side are lazy beds used for growing potatoes in pre-famine years.


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Gold Stag 20-Nov-2007 18:15
A definitive history of the O'Sullivan Clan has been written. For more information about Knockgraffon search Lulu.com for "History of the O'Sullivan Clan.
Guest 08-Aug-2007 04:44
We visited this wonderful place on a warm windy day in August 5 years ago. I had heard of it from family reunion history and info my father received on request from Ireland. Words difficult to find to express my experience finally being here. The O'Sullivan homeland before Cork & Kerry...The view from the summit is breathtaking in all directions. Sharon Sullivan Benjey
Gary B. Sullivan 25-Jun-2007 13:22
An interesting note on the history of Knockgraffon. Knockgraffon was originally the sacred inaugaration site for the kings of Munster. It eventually became the primary residence of the chiefs of the O'Sullivan clan. In 1192 the Normans successfully wrestled the site from the O'Sullivans and built a classic defensive motte there. Knockgraffon remained in Norman hands for the next 806 years until it was bought by an O'Sullivan (Dr. Gary Brian Sullivan of Statesboro, Georgia) from Donal Keating of Clonmel House. The last O'Sullivan chief to live at Knockgraffon was Donal Mor. To celebrate the return of this sacred site to the O'Sullivan clan, Dr. Sullivan named his son, who was born in 1999, Donal Mor Connor O'Sullivan
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