Earthwork in Ballydaniel

In a sub-rectangular area of two fields, roughly centrally placed within Ballydaniel townland, with a stream, running roughly NNE-SSW, dividing the fields to the E and W, in pasture. Identified on the ground by Rory Carroll, and also clearly visible on satellite imagery (DigitalGlobe, imagery date 2011-13), there are a number of earthworks, running parallel to the stream and at right angles to it, forming a number of roughly square (all dims. NNE-SSW x WNW x ESE) (c. 48m x 50m), rectangular (c. 73m x 53m; c. 83m x 44m) and irregular (c. 15m x 52m; c. 54m x 49m; c. 92m x 31m; c. 105m x 0.52m) enclosures. A roughly rectangular enclosure (c. 43m x 70m) towards the S of the E field appears to have the foundations of at least one building (c. 7m x 12m) in the SE angle, with another possible building (c. 11m x 8m) immediately W of it. It is possible that this is the location of a medieval castle (KK013-098----/KK014-085----), currently unlocated, which is indicated on the Down Survey (1655-6) barony map of Crannagh and parish map of ‘Bannogh alias Bannonough’ (Hibernia Regnum, courtesy of Trinity College Dublin), roughly centrally placed in the middle of the townland of ‘Ballidonell’ which corresponds to the modern townland of Ballydaniel. See attached: KK014-154----_01 satellite imagery (DigitalGlobe, imagery date 2011-13) KK014-154----_02 extract from the Down Survey (1655-6) parish map of ‘Bannough or Bannonough’ in the barony of Crannagh (Hibernia Regnum, courtesy of Trinity College Dublin) Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 18 January 2023