Church Field

On top of a natural hillock in flat countryside with good extensive views in all directions. A motte and bailey (TS046-027002-) lies c. 70m, across the road, to the S. In 1452 Holy Cross Abbey was granted Rathkellan vicarage by Archbishop Cantwell (Long 1896, 254) while the Civil Survey refers to the 'street of Rathkienane with its castle and church' (Smyth 1985, 123). The church is depicted on the Down Survey map (1655-6). The field immediately N of the road is marked 'Church Field' on the 1st (1840) ed. OS 6-inch map, with a quarry depicted in the N sector of the field but the church is not indicated. The 25-inch OS map indicates a quarry in the SW portion of the field. The church, the precise location of which within the field is unknown, is not visible at ground level. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 26 August 2011

A local church or high cross; wider significance not recorded.