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Roughfort Motte

A medieval mound and site of assembly for the United Irishmen under the command of Henry Joy McCracken before the Battle of Antrim on 7th June 1798.

The Society of United Irishmen was founded in Belfast in 1791 with the aim of ending the sectarian troubles of the time. They wanted to wipe away the old divisions of Protestant, Catholic and Dissenter and find a common identity.

It began as a peaceful means of seeking reform but when the French offered to help any people who rose against their government the society was made illegal and administering its oath became a capital offence. Thousands of Presbyterians from Ballyclare, Ballynure, Ballyeaston, Doagh and the rest of the Six Mile Valley rose up and fought in the Battle of Antrim.

An oak tree dedicated to the United Irishmen stands in a field opposite the motte. This is the only local example of a 'Liberty Tree', a custom which originated in America where revolutionary notices were pinned on a tree. In Ireland Liberty Trees were planted in 1798 though this one might have been planted the following year.

This site is on private land and access is restricted to the roadside.