Fortification in Dukesmeadows (shillelogher By., St. Patrick's Par.)

Outside the original main gatehouse of Kilkenny Castle (KK019-026078-), a possible 17th-century fortification was identified in a 2010 geophysical survey of the parkland to E of the castle (Gimson 2010, unpublished; Ó Drisceoil 2020, unpublished). The 1654-6 Civil Survey records a masonry-built 'Mount' outside the main castle gatehouse, 'Wth out ye gate a Mount all built wth stone (32 feet [c. 10m] x 30 feet [c. 9m])' (Simington 1934, vol. 6, 534-5). This may have been some form of Confederate-era bastion that defended the E approach to the castle. A rubble spread and possible structural remains identified in the geophysical survey 45m outside, E of, the castle gatehouse may represent its sub-surface remains (Gimson 2010, unpublished; Ó Drisceoil 2020, unpublished). Compiled by: Cóilín Ó Drisceoil Date of upload: 11 November 2020