Enclosure in Rathculbin

According to Carrigan (1905, vol. 3, 324), ‘The townlands of Rathculbin and Spruce’s Hay made up the ancient parish of Rathculbin. This parish is mentioned in the Red Book of Ossory as Rathgulby, Ragulby and Rakylbyn. Soon after the Norman Invasion Rathculbin was granted to Ralph de Borard, who appropriated its free chapel (contulit liberam capellam praedictae villae de Rathgulby,) to the Priory of Kells…The chapel of Rathgulby, with its glebe, is mentioned among the possessions of Kells Priory in 1411’. The location of the church is unknown, however, Carrigan suggests several possibilities, including, ‘a very large circular rath in Rathculbin, about 4 acres in extent, and enclosed by an earthen rampart, which, though much obliterated, is still traceable. The public road from Mallardstown to Newtown chapel runs right through it, dividing it into two nearly equal parts. Within the circuit of the rath, in Mr. Hoyne’s yard [Hoynes?], are the remains of an old house, which was occupied by one Elliot about 1760’. Based on this description this 'large rath' or possible ecclesiastical enclosure (see KK027-067----) has been located to the farmyard on the N side of the road between Mallardstown and Newtown church and which also contains the ruins of a late 16th/early 17th-century house (KK027-025----). However, there is no visible trace of this enclosure. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 6 April 2023