Bawn

The National Monuments Service's description

Associated with Derryhivney Castle (GA118-035----), this well-preserved bawn, with angle towers at NE and SW, is constructed of a mortared double-faced wall with a rubble core. Described by Leask (1938-9, 73, Fig. 1) as L-shaped and embracing the tower, his ground plan indicates that the tower formed part of the defences. When inspected in April 1984 sections of the E (L 17.45m; Wth 1.6m), S (L 24.7m) and W (L 3.2m) walls survived to a height of two storeys. Apart from a short length of walling (L 2m) adjoining the NE angle tower, no trace of the N wall survived (SMR file). On re-inspection in September 2018 the bawn survived in much the same condition; however, due to overgrowth only about 1m of the N wall was traceable. The N (L 2.7m) and S ends (L 3.9m) of E wall survive and traces of three slightly splayed window embrasures are visible, one in the N section and two in the S section. The windows may be features associated with the one-storey hall that Leask (ibid.) suggested occupied this side of the bawn. No trace of the mid-section of the wall (L 7m) survives and a later wall has been built on the line of its inner wall-face. A further 5m of walling was noted running S off the S end of the wall; however due to overgrowth it was not possible to determine its exact relationship with it. A short stretch (L c. 8m) of the E end of the S wall with a window loop survives. The junction of the E and S walls is heavily overgrown and an amorphous mass of boulders around this corner of the bawn may be collapsed wall material. A gap (Wth 2.6m) in the S wall may mark the site of a gateway, which Leask (ibid.) suggests was either here or directly opposite in the N wall. The surviving W section (L c. 14m) of this wall and the return of the W wall (L 3.2m) are the best preserved sections of the bawn. A crenellated parapet is visible on top of the S wall. A series of holes through it appear to have held the beams that supported the planks of an inner extension to the parapet (ibid.) Two sections of walling (E wall L 0.6m; W wall L 1.8m; Wth apart 6.8m; wall T 0.7m) extending southwards off its external face may be the remains of the building, shown on the OS 25-inch plan, that was subsequently built against its wall-face; an inverted U-shaped plastered shadow is visible on the wall. The S section of the W bawn wall is not bonded into the tower house, indicating that it was subsequently added. Apart from a very short section of bonded walling (L c. 0.4m) extending just off the NE corner of the tower, no trace of the N end of this survives. A later wall built against this section accommodates a stile. Another length of walling (L 3.3m), extending off the N wall of the tower, 8m to the W of this is also not bonded to the tower and it may mark the line of the small structure (Wth 8m) shown on the 1838 edition of the OS 6-inch map. The foundations lines of the N wall of this feature are also visible. The NE angle tower (int. diam. 3.5m) is heavily overgrown with briars and appears to have been at least two storeys high though little survives of the upper storey. Six musket loops are visible on the ground floor and a possible slit window, overgrown with ivy, is evident on the 1st floor. The SW angle tower is two storeys high, the wall-walk also survives. A similar number of musket loops are evident on the ground floor and a fireplace is visible on the 1st floor. Externally a plinth is visible around its base.

The following images are attached:
GA118-035001-_05 SW angle tower from ESE.jpg
GA118-035001-_15 SW angle tower and bawn from NW.jpg

Compiled by: Olive Alcock

Date of upload: 2 October 2018

References

Leask, H.G. 1938-9 Derryhivney Castle, Co. Galway. Journal of the Galway Archaeological and Historical Society 18, 72-7.