Bawn

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated atop high ground with good views, field was in meadow which made the examination of the low wall footings of Erry Castle (OF008-018001-) impossible. No features visible. Depicted on the 1838 ed. OS 6-inch map as a rectangular shaped-enclosure or earthwork enclosing Erry Castle (OF008-018001-). This earthwork appears to be the earthen remains of the bawn of Erry Castle. On the revised 1908 ed. of the OS 6-inch map only a short stretch of this earthwork is depicted running along the S side of the Castle. The remains of the possible bawn were described in 1942 as, 'There are slight traces of a fosse. The enclosure-wall is almost levelled, and can be traced as a bank 5' (1.5m) high on S, 2' (0.6m) on W & N., nearly level on E. The enclosure is level and rect.[angular], int. dim. 37 x 33 yds. (34m x 30m) Inside it towards S. end are traces of stone walls, a bank nowhere more than 2' (0.6m) high 12 yds (11m) long, app.[earance] of a house (OF008-018001-) adjoining the rampart or with projecting wings' (ITA Survey 1942). This earthwork was surveyed in 1977 and described as, 'a fairly large poorly preserved rectangular enclosure approx. 35m E-W by approx. 40m north-south. The enclosure is outlined by a broken embankment on south with a fosse outside, while the eastern side is defined by a very poorly preserved embankment' (SMR File 1977).

The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Offaly' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1997). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Compiled by Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload/revision: 22 December 2011