Bawn in Cahermacon

In pastureland. Breen and Ua Cróinín (2000, 5) suggest that a bawn wall was built on this natural rectangular platform (66m N-S; 30m E-W) sloping to the S. Two possible late-medieval buildings (CL016-144001- and CL016-144002-) are located on its N half. The N side of the platform is defined by a scarp (H 1.5m) and a quarry face is visible at its base. A grassed-over stone wall runs along the top of the E edge of this side; it could be related to the building shown in this area on the 1940 ed. of the OS 6-inch map. The E side (H 2.2m) is steeper. A wall visible about midway along scarp face may have been built to retain the platform. The S side is indistinct but a briar-covered cairn and possible house foundations are visible in the SE corner; the latter may be the remains of another building shown on the 1840 ed. Breen and Ua Cróinín (ibid.) note that the linear wall/bank on the W side, which extends around to the W end of the N side, suggests that the platform was once protected by a wall. They also suggest that Ballycasheen Castle (see CL016-194----) may have been located within this site, which is known locally as ‘Lochlann Riabhach Ó hEithir’s House'. Compiled by: Olive Alcock Date of upload: 25 August 2022

A bawn wall was built on a natural rectangular platform in the late medieval period; its construction reflects local defensive adaptations during that era.