Bawn

The National Monuments Service's description

Banks and ditches to W and N of church (OF010-021002-) and castle (OF010-021001-) appear on aerial photo (GSI N 550/549). These earthworks may be the grass covered wall footings of a levelled bawn belonging to Kill Castle (OF010-021001-). In 1942 the site of the levelled castle (OF010-021001-) was described as, 'There is a flat-topped mound, irregular and a little eroded by digging, measuring about 23 [21m] x 27 [24m] yds. Sunk in it is a rect.[angular] enclosure about 11 [10m] x 7 [6m] yds. int.[ernal] dim., lined with stone wall grassed over, probably a keep. On S. of mound seem traces of another wall, and beyond it at a rather lower level an entrenched area rectangular and perhaps a baun [bawn]. The banks are however too obscure to plan without excavation, and it is not clear how much is old. Both church and castle are approached from east by an avenue of very old thorns, and there is another such track on S side of castle' (ITA Survey 1942, SMR File).

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: 23 December 2011