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A subcircular cashel (dims. c. 60m E-W, 51m N-S) defined by a roughly coursed limestone wall (T c. 1.1m, max. H c. 5m). Only the lower courses of the wall remain from SW-ENE. Described as being 19 feet high (c. 5.7m) with walls 4-4.5 ft (c. 1.2m) in thickness, with a residence or castle (LA033-016001-) in the interior (Carrigan 1905, vol. 2, 283).
Described by Carrigan as 'The "Bawn" of Bawnaghra is a polygonal enclosure, situated on a hill half a mile north-west of the church (LA033-017001-). It is about 50 yards across. The enclosing walls, built of very rough stones, were originally 19 ft. high; they are 4 to 4.5 ft. thick to a height of 14 ft., after which they narrow to 18 in., leaving a bench 2.5 ft. wide all round, on the inside. An old residence or castle (LA033-016002-) stood within the "Bawn" to the west; it was 30 ft. by 21 ft., the walls being 4 ft. thick. By Inquistion of March 18th, 1613-14, Edmond mac Shawn and Loughlin mac Donogh, probably Fitzpatrick's, were found to be seised of the townlands of Lisduff and Aghara. A few years later "Bawnagherry and Killoghery" were granted by James I. , to the Duke of Buckingham (Carrigan 1905, vol. 2, 283-4).
The above description is derived from the published 'Archaeological Inventory of County Laois' (Dublin Stationery Office, 1995) compiled by P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock and Bernie Moran. In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research.
Date of upload: 17 December 2007
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