Gatehouse

The National Monuments Service's description

Medieval gatehouse known as 'Kilmallock Gatehouse' described in the Urban Survey of County Limerick (Bradley et. al. 1989, 39-40) as following;
"A single wall of roughly coursed limestone rubble, 6.55m long, 1.55m thick and 3.5m high running north-south is situated on Adare Manor Golf course directly north of and
overlooking the Desmond castle (LI021-032003-) and west of St. Nicholas' Church (LI021-032004-). There is a basal batter c. 50cms high at the north and south ends. On the internal west face which is mostly covered in ivy there are traces of a barrell vault c. 3m high and the wall face is set back by 32cms 1.60m from the north end. According to Harbison it was adorned with the Geraldine arms (1970, 145). If this building was a gatehouse it is possible that it may have formed part of the town defences. In the absence of excavation, however, and of any knowledge of the actual outline of the town defences, it is impossible to be definite about this'.

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 04 November 2019

References

Harbison, P. 1970 (Reprint 1992) Guide to the national monuments in the Republic of Ireland. Dublin. Gill and Macmillan.

Bradley, J., Halpin, A., and King, H.A. 1989 Urban archaeological survey - county Limerick (3 vols.). Unpublished report commissioned by the Office of Public Works, Dublin.