Indicated — Tulla (tulla Upper By.)

On top of a hillock known locally as Tulla Hill, at the E edge of the village, with extensive views across rolling pasture in all directions. Within the ecclesiastical enclosure are an historic and modern graveyard (CL035-022004-), a medieval church (CL035-022002-), an early 18th century church (CL035-022003-) and the site of a castle (CL035-022005-). A substantial oval area (c. 150m NE-SW; c. 135m NW-SE) defined by modern boundaries which enclose the crown of Tulla Hill W-N-E-SSW. These boundaries consist of a graveyard wall which defines the top of a steep scarp (H 4.65m; Wth 7.5m), which appears to be naturally formed, where it is readily visible. The scarp is obscured for the most part by trees and other impenetrable vegetation. The line of the enclosing elements has been interrupted SSW-W, where this area has been occupied by the Fair Green since at least the mid-19th century. This area remains partly as an amenity space and open park, adjoining a car park for the graveyard. A laneway (long-axis ENE-WSW) bisects the area of the ecclesiastical enclosure, leading from the car park at W, to a field entrance at ENE. Along this central laneway are two pedestrian access points leading to the historic graveyard at S and a vehicular access point leading into the modern graveyard at N. The historic graveyard (CL035-022004-) is D-shaped in plan and occupies the area off-centre to SW of the ecclesiastical enclosure. The site of the medieval church (CL035-022002-) and the extant early 18th century church (CL035-022003-) are centrally placed within the ecclesiastical enclosure. According to local information, the site of the castle (CL035-022005-) is reputed to be within the graveyard, adjacent to W of the two churches, although it is depicted by Westropp (1911, 18) at the WSW-end of the laneway, which is a little further to W, albeit still within the ecclesiastical enclosure. The former 19th-century boys National School and a garage abut the enclosure to S and SW, respectively. Westropp (1911, 18) shows a scaled sketch plan of the ecclesiastical enclosure and earthworks associated with the Tulla churches. These depict an inner sub-circular scarp labelled ‘church platform’, upon which the two churches are shown. A gentle break of slope is indicated around the exterior of the inner platform, which opens out, forming a possible terrace SW-NW, whereby the site of the castle is marked at W. A wide terrace/platform is shown and labelled at the base of the gentle scarp and is defined on the exterior by the enclosing elements of the outer ecclesiastical enclosure. A series of hachures shown on the exterior of the wider enclosure depict the steep scarp of Tulla Hill (ibid.). Today, these ‘earthworks’ are poorly defined, having been cut by a concentration of grave plots. However, it may be feasible to trace two terraces below a slightly more obvious church platform, within the historic graveyard. Myles (2009, 58) summarises that, ‘The site is of some significance, with evidence of counter-scarping on the eastern side of the hill, suggesting its deliberate fortification. Field systems and roads on the flat land below suggest an early ecclesiastical enclosure of some magnitude, while the immediate church enclosure has a surviving sub-division.’ The following images have been uploaded: CL035-022001-_01.jpg From WSW. Cross-sectional view of steep scarp of Tulla Hill at SE. CL035-022001-_02.jpg From SSE. Elevation view of steep scarp at SE. Compiled by: Mary Tunney and Alison McQueen Date of upload: 20 December 2017