Earthwork in Courtstown

On a gentle S-facing slope in a wet marshy area. There is a good view to the SE. Identified during ASI fieldwork in 1994, a number of rectangular earthworks running NW-SE (L c. 40m NW-SE; c. 50m NE-SE). Within the most westerly there is a low horsehoe-shaped mound (KK018-100002-) enclosed by a fosse and outer bank which was interpreted as a fulacht fiadh. This feature is further enclosed with a rectangular enclosure defined by a bank (H 0.35m; Wth 3.6m), with a field boundary running along the W side and open to the SW, as is the enclosure immediately SE of it. There are two further rectangular enclosures (int. dims. 12m x 10.2m and 10.7m x 10.6m) to thhe SE, though these are on a slightly different NW-SE line, 4.6m to the SW. These are enclosed by a fosse (Wth 2.3m) and outer bank (H 0.7m; Wth 3.2m). They run into the field boundary to the SW. These earthworks are closely associated with a large square earthwork c. 20m to the W which is possibly the medieval castle (KK018-028001-) and bawn (KK018-028002-) of Courtstown. The function of these earthworks is unknown, they could be settlement features associated with the castle, however, they could also be garden features. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 9 July 2020