Bawn in Rathmichael

An aerial photograph (FSI 1971, 3.697/8) shows a curvilinear earthwork running E and W of Puck's Castle (DU026-049001-) and rectilinear earthworks to the S. Google Earth orthoimage taken 23-01-2005 is attached to this record illustrating the extent of the earthworks. Bawn with building and well enclosing Puck's Castle was described by E. R. Dix in 1897 as follows; 'The castle itself is apparently built on the rock, which crops out from the walls and floor, and renders the latter in parts uneven. In few of the castles such as I have been writing of are there any traces of the out-works, but here there are evident traces that this castle was surrounded by a large bawn or yard, probably divided into parts, as we find, though all more or less grass-covered, distinct traces of the lines running from the castle northward some distance, and then turning at right angles for about 31 paces eastward, then running southward for a considerable distance, then turning again at right angles westward, and finally turning up northward again and joining the side of the castle. Besides, to the east side of the castle there are distinct traces of some kind of building, which if not attached to the castle, closely adjoined it on that side. In the outer yard of the castle, or bawn, there is also what appears somewhat like a well, partly circular in form and as if lined with stones. There is also a spring of water outside the bawn. The line marking these outworks is in some places raised one or two feet above the surface of the ground, and here and there large stones project. There is no doubt that this small castle would have required to have been well protected' (Dix 1897, 129). See attached Google Earth orthoimage taken 23/01/2005 Compiled by: Geraldine Stout and Padraig Clancy. Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 19 December 2022