Ecclesiastical enclosure

The National Monuments Service's description

St. Abban founded a church here in 650 (O'Hanlon and O'Leary 1907, vol. 1, 247-49). The burgeses of Killabban gave 60s. yearly for their burgage in 1348. Killabban was defended by The Earl of Kildare in wars against the O'Mordha of Slemargy around 1358. The Borough declined in the late fourteenth century (Bradley et. al. 1986, 38). In undulating countryside. Round conical motte (LA026-013003-) tapering from a rounded base (18m by 16m). Slight evidence of an encircling fosse (Bradley et. al. 1986, 37-8). No visible surface remains. Levelled 1986.
The church is listed in the ecclesiastical taxation of the diocese in 1302-06 (Cal. doc. Ire., 249). Remains of a divided nave and chancel church built of coursed limestone rubble, dating to thirteenth century with alterations in the fifteenth and sixteenth century. The original East window was probably of two lights, with granite jambs, chamfered externally. It now consists of a single light with nave moulding and chamfered limestone jambs. Aboveis a blocked up round opening. The chancel ground level is raised 1m above that of the nave. They are divided by a segmental flattened round arch (H.c. 4m). Original entrance at W. end of South wall. Later doorway in W.wall. Fifteen pieces of cut stone visible around the graveyard (LA026-013002-), some used as gravemarkers. Remains of broken sarcophagus (LA026-013005-) within the chancel.

No surface indications of the location of the early monastic site but the monastic boundary is apparent from aerial photographs (Bradley et. al. 1986, 38). A broad arc is outlined by a cropmark in the field immediately north of the graveyard (LA026-013002-) which appears to be a continuation of the western boundary of the churchyard. This would permit the reconstruction of an oval enclosure about 135m across. Alternately, it may have been a larger enclosure linked into the arced depression with slight traces of an internal bank, 35m south of the graveyard (Bradley et. al. 1986, 38).
Cropmark of ecclesiastical enclosure visible in field to W of church and graveyard on Google earth aerial photograph taken 14/07/2018.

See attached google earth aerial photograph taken 14/07/2018

Compiled and revised by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of revised upload: 19 September 2019

References

O'Hanlon, Rev. J., O'Leary, Rev. E. and Lalor, Rev. M. 1914 (Reprint 1981) History of the Queen's county, vol. 2. Kilkenny. Roberts Books Ltd.

Bradley, J., Halpin, A. and King, H.A. 1986 Urban archaeological survey - county Laois. Unpublished report commissioned by the Office of Public Works, Dublin.

Cal. doc. Ire. - Calendar of documents relating to Ireland 1171-1307, ed. H.S. Sweetman (5 vols., London, 1875-86).