Bawn

The National Monuments Service's description

Situated on high ground with extensive views, a nearby church (TN042-005) to the SE and a ringfort (TN042-003) to the NW. Described in the Civil Survey (1654-6) as a 'castle out of all repaire' (Simington 1931, vol. 1, 43). Theobald Purcell of Loughmoe is listed as proprietor in 1640 (ibid.). The well-preserved remains of a large impressive tower house (TN042-004002) four storeys high built of coursed limestone rubble with base-batter and rounded corners. Access to the interior was not possible due to a locked gate at the main entrance. A two-centred doorway with rebated jambs in the centre of the E wall was protected by a machicolation at wall-walk level (now destroyed). A circular enclosure around the castle described in the OS Letters is now only visible as a differential growth in vegetation and probably represents an earth and stone bawn (TN042-004001) (O'Flanagan 1930, vol. 2, 184-5).

The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Tipperary. Vol. 1 - North Tipperary' compiled by Jean Farrelly and Caimin O'Brien (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2002). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.

Date of upload/revision: 22 September 2008