Settlement deserted - medieval

The National Monuments Service's description

According to Bradley et al. (1986 vol. 3, 292-303), Kill is likely to have originated in an early monastic foundation (KD019-008002-) of which no visible surface trace survived. However, in 1993, archaeological test-trenching uncovered portion of a probable ecclesiastical enclosure (KD019-008007-). Kill subsequently formed part of 'the cantred of Offelan nearest to Dublin' which was granted by Strongbow to Adam de Hereford in the sub-infeudation of Leinster in the early 13th century, around which time, or possibly slightly earlier, a motte (KD019-008004-) was erected, possibly by John de Hereford. Charters record that between 1215 and 1223, Thomas de Hereford granted the church of Kill (KD018-008006-) to St Thomas' Abbey, Dublin, and mention is made of his 'vill of Kill'. [An earlier charter of 1206-1223 records that St Thomas' Abbey already held possessions at Kill, including a grange with a croft, garden and haggard, however, Conroy (2007, 187-93), suggests that the grange may have been at Hartwell Castle (KD019-015----), c. 1 mile to the S.] The precise location and extent of the original borough is uncertain, and the first specific reference to a borough here is not until 1608, in a list of boroughs and towns in Kildare, when Richard Dowlin is named as provost of the town of Kill. In 1629, upon his death, Thomas Hamlin held a castle (KD019-006003-), six messuages and 120 acres in the vill of Kill from the Earl of Kildare. A 1659 census recorded a population of 92 at Kill, and the present main street probably preserves a 17th century street pattern. On low-lying ground, drained by the small, N-flowing, Kill River.

Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy

Date of upload: 10 June 2011

References

Bradley, J., Halpin, A., and King, H.A. 1986 Urban Archaeological Survey - County Kildare (4 vols.). Unpublished report commissioned by the Office of Public Works, Dublin.

Conroy, G. 2007 Hartwell Castle and bawn: a monastic grange? In C. Manning (ed.) From ringforts to fortified houses. Studies on castles and other monuments in honour of David Sweetman, 187-95. Wordwell, Bray.