Ecclesiastical residence

The National Monuments Service's description

Marked as the Bishop's Seat on the 1837 and 1914 eds. of the OS 6-inch map and situated on high ground overlooking the gorge of the W-E Boyle River as it leaves Lough Key c. 50m to the S. References to Cill tSesin date from 1243 (AFM vol. 3, 307-09), and in 1253 the Bishop of Elphin, Tomaltach O'Conor, had a court or palace at Kilteisin (ibid., 349), which was destroyed in 1258 by his cousin Hugh O'Conor along with the bishop's other residence at Elphin (RO016-126----) (ibid., 365). A church, listed as Kilseisyn in the ecclesiastical taxation of Elphin in 1306 (Cal. Doc. Ire. vol. 5, 224), had probably been established here in the late 12th century and is probably located on the burial ground (RO006-012001-) c. 30m to the SW, but it has yet to be found.

The overgrown foundations and fragments of masonry walls (Wth 1-1.2m; H 0.2-1m), partly re-built with drystone walling, define a rectangular structure (int. dims. 12.2m E-W; 6.75m N-S). A circular structure (RO006-013001-) (int. diam. c. 2.5m) defined by a stone spread and built into the slope just to the S may be a kiln. Excavation of the interior produced evidence of a floor, later industrial activity and two inserted child burials. There is a small fore-building attached to the exterior of the N wall at the W end. Excavation and analysis during 2009 revealed that both structures had evidence of many phases of construction, and the main building was originally clay-bonded. The enclosure (RO006-012001-) c. 30m to the SW served as a burial ground, and the field system (RO006-012002-) around it may be contemporary. (Read et al. 2005, Read 2008m; 2009e; Read 2012)

Compiled by: Michael Moore

Date of upload: 19 June, 2012

References

Read, C. 2009e Kilteaseen: high medieval Gaelic lordly site. In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 2006: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland, 459-61, No. 1736. Dublin. Wordwell.

Read, C. 2008e Archaeological testing at 'The Bishop's Palace', Palace Road, Elphin, Co. Roscommon. North West Archaeological Services. Unpublished report, National Monuments Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Licence no. 08E0637.

Read, C., Finan, T. and Barton, K. 2005 Initial findings at Kilteasheen, Knockvicar, Co. Roscommon. Archaeology Ireland 19 (3), 18-20.

Read, C. 2012 Kilteasheen: medieval ecclesiastical. In I. Bennett (ed.), Excavations 2009: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland, 183-4, No. 706. Dublin. Wordwell.

AFM - Annals of the kingdom of Ireland by the Four Masters from the earliest period to the year 1616, ed. and trans. John O'Donovan (7 vols., Dublin, 1851; reprint New York, 1966)

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