Ecclesiastical enclosure in Castledillon Upper

OMURETHI (1909-11, 206-7, 209) records, ' Castledillon … was originally called "Diseart Iollathan" (later corrupted to "Tristledelan"), that is St. Illan's Hermitage, from a Celtic saint of that name … venerated on February 2nd. A large D-shaped area (ext. diam 52m E-W) with straight W side (L 61m) contains a later, medieval church (KD014-016----), a graveyard (KD014-016001-), a possible children's burial ground (KD014-016005-), is the site of a possible early Christain foundation (KD014-016003-), and is the original location of the fine, 13th century 'Castledillon Stone' effigy (KD014-016002-). Defined by a low, partially poached, earthen bank (Wth 6m; int. H 0.1-0.3m; ext. H 0.6-0.8m) topped with concrete posts, most of which have fallen, and a shallow, outer fosse (Wth 1.8-2.5m; D 0.4m). Several gaps give access to the site, the original possibly in the N sector. Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy Date of upload: 10 June 2011

A local fairy fort (ringfort/rath) associated with the hermitage of St. Illan, likely dating to the early medieval period. The site is linked to ecclesiastical use and local folklore surrounding the veneration of a Celtic saint.