Ecclesiastical enclosure in Abbeytown

Associated with a field system (GA042-001005-). Amongst the earthworks noted during aerial reconnaissance in January 1985 (ASGAP 211:37, 42) was a strongly curving fosse-like feature to N of the possible church (GA042-001002-). Though evidently much defaced and apparently overlain by the field system, it appears to comprise a shallow fosse with intermittent traces of a stony bank along its inner, or S, edge. Roughly centred on the church, it is visible from WNW through N to NE (D c. 140m). This is probably the same feature as the 'large arc of [a] ... cashel type wall' recorded by Higgins and McHugh (1990, 66-8) to NE of the church. They describe it as 'the remains of a substantial stone wall ... maximum height 0.33-0.40 metres' with traces of an external 'wall facing'. The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Galway Vol. II - North Galway'. Compiled by Olive Alcock, Kathy de hÓra and Paul Gosling (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1999). Date of upload: 05 August 2010