Military camp in Mansfields Land,spital-Land,farranarouga South,abbey-Lands, Part of (kinsale By., Ringcurran Par.),farranarouga North,camphill

Lord Deputy Mountjoy's camp was one of three principal fortified encampments (see CO112-098---- and CO112-102----) occupied by Crown forces during the Siege and Battle of Kinsale in AD 1601 (see Shiels 2004; Morgan 2007). On the 27th of October, Mountjoy 'perfected the entrenchment around the camp' which was 'in a key area with commanding views, especially of the town' (Shiels 2004, 342). This camp is shown on a number of 'contemporary and near-contemporary sketches and paintings, all of which portray it as an impressive structure' (ibid.). Mountjoy strengthened the defences on the north side of the camp on 16 November 'when he was informed of the impending arrival of the Gaelic forces.' This may have been the first time the camp 'actually became fully enclosed on all sides' (ibid.). The exact location of this camp is not clear though its general location is on Ardmartin ridge straddling what was then the main road to Cork (O'Keeffe and Shiels 2008, 11). A licensed metal detection survey (licence no: 07E0732) on part of the ridge, which was carried out in 2007, recovered '21 lead shot, three coins and a number of buttons' (Morgan 2007) indicative that the camp was in this general location. (pers. comm. Paul O'Keeffe) The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Cork. Volume 5' (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2009). Date of upload: 22 December 2009