Field system in Abbeytown

On a slight rise in undulating grassland. Aerial reconnaissance in July 1968 (CUCAP AVM 76) revealed a series of faint earthworks around a church (GA042-001002-) and graveyard. By January 1985 (ASGAP 211:37-42), the fields to E and S of the graveyard had been reclaimed and the earthworks survived only in the field immediately to N. These comprise a complex series of low earthen banks, trenches and cultivation ridges covering an area 160m E-W by 150m N-S. A number of small irregular fields, coeval with the ridges, are discernible. Three or four possible house foundations, rectangular in plan, are also visible. Higgins and McHugh (1990, 67) also noted 'two low crescentic structures' in this area tentatively classifying them as 'small site huts'. According to local tradition, these earthworks 'contain remains of the old village of Kilnamanagh' (ibid.). They also appear to be associated with a probable early ecclesiastical enclosure (GA042-001001-). The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Galway Vol. II - North Galway'. Compiled by Olive Alcock, Kathy de hÓra and Paul Gosling (Dublin: Stationery Office, 1999). Date of upload: 05 August 2010