Bawn

The National Monuments Service's description

Immediately to N of a castle (MA111-018----).
On the 1838 OS 6-inch map a rectangular enclosure, possibly a bawn, is indicated immediately to N of a rectangular building named ‘Castle (ruin)’; it is not shown on the 1930 edition.
Slight traces of this enclosure/possible bawn can be traced at ground level. It appears to have measured c. 30m E−W by c. 20-25m N−S. The S side is bordered by the castle mound, where an E−W band of nettles may preserve its outline. The W side is defined by a slight stony scarp (H 0.5m; Wth slope 1.7m) which extends N from the W edge of the castle mound to a present-day E−W drystone field wall, which incorporates remnants of the N wall of the possible bawn. The E side is barely discernible, with a hint of a scarp visible in parts.
Two portions of the N wall of the possible bawn are visible in section beneath the E−W field wall, one portion equating with the W end of the N wall, and one with the E end. The W portion is visible as a broadly slumped bank (c. 8m E-W; H 0.95m) of jumbled earth and stone, overlain by the later field wall. The core or central part of this bank appears to be composed of the remains of a wall (c. 2-2.8m E-W; 0.95m) with a thin flat horizontal slab ( L 1m E−W; D 0.1m) visible at its base, on top of which are two rough courses of large stones. Loose stone and earth slump outwards from this stony core. The E portion of the wall (L 7.8m E−W; H 0.55m) is similarly visible in section, consisting of 2-3 courses of rough stone blocks, with earth in the interstices. It is topped by a thin sod layer, on which the present-day field wall is built.

Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 16 December 2022