Settlement deserted - medieval

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture, on level plateau overlooking low-lying land to E. Castle (14332) and church (14434) of Kilmaclenine immediately to N and E respectively. No visible surface trace of settlement, but aerial photograph (CASAP) shows series of linear N-S cropmarks in field to W of church which may represent burgage plot boundaries; another photograph (O'Brien 1993, opp. 154) shows similar cropmarks in field to E of castle, S of fortified house (14376). Disused well c. 100m to SE of church said to have been formerly stone-lined with ten steps leading down to it (Grove White 1905-25, vol. 3, 317); survives today as circular depression (diam. 4m; D 1.2m). A N-S road, which 'evidently led towards the old church' traceable for a distance of 'about 150 yards' in field 'about 230 yards' S of church (ibid., 316); 'roadway was about 8 to 10 feet wide; the stones are most carefully laid'. Borough of Kilmaclenine founded by Bishop of Cloyne c. 1238 (Otway-Ruthven 1980, 117); inhabited in mid-14th century by some 27 burgesses, most of them English (ibid.). List of c. 1364-5 includes names of burgesses and the rent and services by which they held their property (MacCotter and Nicholls 1996, 45-49).

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 4: North Cork' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2000). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload/revision: 14 January 2009