Roscrea — Castleholding,demesne,glebe (roscrea Par.),parkmore,townparks (roscrea Par.)

Situated on a natural rise of ground in undulating countryside. Roscrea was originally an Early Christian monastic site (TN012-010001-/005-/006-) founded in the seventh century by St Cronán. In the early twelfth century, at the Synod of Rathbreasail, Roscrea was absorbed into the newly created diocese of Killaloe (Gleeson and Gwynn 1962, 62). Due to political pressure the separate diocese of Roscrea was created at the Synod of Kells in 1152, however, this was short-lived and the diocese of Roscrea was re-absorbed into Killaloe diocese at the end of the twelfth century (Gwynn and Hadcock 1988, 192). The Romanesque church (TN012-010001-), round tower (TN012-010005-) and high cross (TN012-010006-) all date to the twelfth century. An unusual carved stone pillar (TN012-010011-), late eighth century in date (Roe 1967, 131-2), reflects the craftsmanship/activity of the earlier monastic period. In the early thirteenth century a motte (TN012-010008-) was erected on or near the site of the present castle (TN012-01007-) which was built towards the end of the thirteenth century, with rebuildings and modifications continuing up to the seventeenth century. An impressive early eighteenth-century house now occupies the centre of the bawn (TN012-010007-). There are references to an Augustinian foundation in the twelfth century but this does not appear to survive into the thirteenth century (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 192). The Franciscan friary (TN012-010010) to the south of the town, was founded in the fifteenth century, probably by Maolruony na Feasoige who died in 1443. In 1399-1400 the reeve and community were amerced with representatives of other boroughs (Martin 1981, 49; COD, 1350-1413, vol. 2, 244). Monastic site Situated within the town of Roscrea. A monastery was founded at Roscrea by St Cronán in the seventh century (Gwynn and Hadcock 1970, 43). The Book of Dimma and the Roscrea brooch, both of which are dated to the eighth century, are products of this monastery (Cunningham 1994, 29). His first foundation was at Sean Ros (TN012-014----) near Monaincha, however due to its inaccessibility to travellers and pilgrims, the church was moved to Roscrea which was located on the 'Slíghe Dála' (Gleeson and Gwynn 1962, 60). Archaeological remains from this period consist of a graveslab dedicated to Rechtabhra which has been dated to the ninth century (Petrie and Stokes 1878, 39) while the decorated stone known as the Roscrea pillar has been dated to the late eighth century (Roe 1967, 131-2). A cross-inscribed slab which has been recently identified in the walls of Roscrea castle may also have come from the nearby monastery. Other ecclesiastical remains at Roscrea are the Romanesque church, a round tower, a high cross and the Franciscan friary. In 2002 archaeological trenching at Demesne, Dublin Road carried out by Alan Hayden for a commercial development revealed no archaeological features. This monitoring was carried out under Licence No. 02E0331 (Bennett 2004, 481). Archaeological monitoring carried out in 2002 by Christopher Road for an extension to the Health centre at Roscrean revealed no archaeological features. This monitoring was carried out under Licence No. 02E0033 (Bennett 2004, 481-2). In 2002 archaeological monitoring carried out by John Channing for a residential development at Glentara, Roscrea revealed no archaeological features. This monitoring was carried out under Licence No. 02E0710 (Bennett 2004, 482). Archaeological monitoring carried out in 2002 by Stuart Elder at No. 10 Main Street Roscrea revealed no archaeological features. This monitoring was carried out under Licence No. 02E1676 (Bennett 2004, 482). In 2002 archaeological testing carried out by Billy Quinn for a residential development revealed at Glebe View, Roscrea, revealed evidence for nine tanning pits of 19th century date. This testing was carried out under Licence No. 01E1125 (Bennett 2004, 482). The above description is derived from 'The Archaeological Inventory of County Tipperary. Vol. 1 - North Tipperary' compiled by Jean Farrelly and Caimin O'Brien (Dublin: Stationery Office, 2002). In certain instances the entries have been revised and updated in the light of recent research. Date of upload/revision: 22 September 2008