Gatehouse

The National Monuments Service's description

Part of a National Monument (No. 275), abutting the SW gable wall of a tower house (KD020-006----) on the W side of a possible bawn (KD020-006002-). A three-storied, rectangular structure (ext. dims. L 4.35m NE-SW; Wth 2.55m) comprises a fine, vaulted archway (Wth 2.55m NE-SW) over which a two-storied guard house is roofed by a second vault, with battlements above. It is built of randomly coursed limestone blocks and flags with well-dressed quoins and voussoirs. First-floor level is accessed from the adjoining tower house's spiral stairs via a short flight of steps carried on a small squinch at the junction of the two buildings. This level (int dims. L 3.85m NE-SW; Wth 1.43m) is lit by two loops in opposite walls, looking NW and SE, and has a small garderobe alcove in the SW gable wall. Opposing corbels on the NW and SE walls mark second floor level which was accessed through a doorway from the tower house, and the NW and SE walls each contain a loop. The wall-walk was also accessed from the adjoining tower house. In 2005, an archaeological assessment (Licence No. 05E0681: 'Excavations 2005' 2008, (No. 761) 186) and subsequent monitoring of topsoil removal in 2006 (Licence No. 06E2475, C159: 'Excavations 2006' 2009, (No. 965) 246) at a single-house development c. 80m SW of the monument uncovered some 20 sherds of pottery, 14 of which were medieval date in date, including Leinster cooking ware, Dublin-type coarse ware and Dublin-type fine ware, with the remainder being post-medieval in date. (Killanin and Duignan 1967, 408; Harbison 1975, 123)

Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy

Date of upload: 10 June 2011

References

Killanin, M.M. and Duignan, M.V. 1967 (2nd ed.) The Shell guide to Ireland. London. The Ebury Press.

Harbison, P. 1975 (2nd. ed. 1992 reprint) Guide to the national monuments in the Republic of Ireland. Gill and Macmillan, Dublin.