Gateway

The National Monuments Service's description

Described by Bradley (1985, 76) as following: 'The South Gate is a rectangular gatehouse built of fairly evenly coursed limestone. It stands on the south side of the road from Crossakeel opposite the modern St. Feighin's R.C. Church. Only the ground floor survives but the presence of a spiral stair on the west side indicates that there was an upper level originally. The passage is entered through a round arch 2.6m wide. Some of the quoins are re-used stones from the Benedictine priory (WM004-035010-), and include one section of the cloister arcade. The north-east wall has an added external batter. A bank, c.1-1.5m high and 1.5m wide, runs south-west from the South Gate up the side of the hill. It is connected to a crossing bank of similar size which skirts the base of the Ben of Fore and turns north-west to link in with the North Gate. These banks have a rubble core and there are traces of stone facing. Further protection appears to have been added on this side by scarping the side of the hill at two levels contiguous with the base of the Ben of Fore'.

Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien

Date of upload: 14 April 2015

References

Bradley, J., Halpin, A., and King, H. 1985 Urban archaeological survey - county Westmeath. Unpublished report commissioned by the Office of Public Works, Dublin.