History

In the 12th century, the Anglo-Normans had settled in Dundonald. They built a church (now St. Elizabeth's Church), fort and a hill. The name "moat" derives from "motte" referring to the motte-and-bailey that stood on top of the man-made mount. John de Courcy, a Norman knight, helped build a network of Motte & Bailey Castles while he was conquering eastern Ulster in 1177. This led to establishing the religious site now known as Church Quarter. John