Bawn

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture on a N-facing slope. According to the Civil Survey (1654-6), 'Thomas Butler of Kylcon[n]ell Irish Papist' was proprietor in 1640' and the lands contained 'a habitable Castle [and] Bawne' (Simington 1931, vol. 1, 202). Bawn wall preserved to W and N, replaced by trackway and concrete wall to E and potential sod-covered ruins to S are densely overgrown. Walls are constructed of roughly hewn rectangular blocks of limestone laid in a rubble formation. Wall (L 52.7m; T 0.88m; int. H 1m; ext. H 1.45m) defines W side of bawn. Breached (Wth 3.2m) is off-centre to N and stones missing from the W elevation at the N end. The return of the N wall (L 33m; T 0.95m; int. H 1.2m; ext. H 2.18m) is best preserved except where replaced by a concrete wall (L 6m) and trackway (Wth 4.5m) at the E end. A slight base-batter is evident in the N wall and there is a drainage hole mid-way along at base. Occasional spy holes in wall (H c. 0.5m-1m) above present ground level. Spy holes have a splayed rectangular, lintelled embrasure on interior. Interior ground level is generally c. 0.45m higher in S-half and c. 1m higher in the N half. The castle (TS061-100002-) is within the S side. A trackway truncates the E perimeter of the interior and has breached the E end of the N wall According to White (1892, 14), there were the poorly preserved remains of a flanking tower (since fallen) at the NW angle of the bawn and there may have been similar structures at the other angles. A wooded area, which may be the former orchard, adjoins to S and is defined by a poorly preserved, collapsed stone wall to W. Wall is well preserved in places and breached in others defining the S side. Later portion of wall (long-axis ENE-WSW) with stile is located adjacent S-end of disused farmhouse, to SE of bawn. Further section of similar wall close to E, on same axis. These have vertical coping on top. No cut or inscribed stone evident in later walls, except a possible triangular masons mark on a stone incorporated into the W wall of the farmhouse at the NNW end.

Compiled by: Jean Farrelly

Date of upload: 26 August 2014

References

Simington, R.C. (ed.) 1931 The Civil survey, AD 1654-1656. Vol I: county of Tipperary: eastern and southern baronies. Dublin. Irish Manuscripts Commission.

White, J.D. 1892 Anthologia Tipperariensis. Cashel.