Site of Village — Mortlestown (cooleagh Par.)

In a small valley, on top of a substantial oblong rock outcrop (dims. c. 200m N-S; c. 70m E-W; H c. 3-4m), surrounded by poorly drained rough pasture with a river flowing southward immediately to the E. The settlement is 1.3km ENE of Mortlestown castle (TS062-011----). The Civil Survey (1654-6) refers to 'some few thatcht Cabbins' which in 1640 was under the proprietorship of 'John St. John of Mortelstowne Irish Papist' (Simington 1931, vol. 1, 176). On the 1st (1840) ed. OS 6-inch map the 'Site of Village' is shown with 14 deserted buildings and associated boundaries indicated. A causeway (Wth c. 3.5m) across the marsh enters the outcrop on the W side at the N end. There are the remains of at least thirteen buildings, of which several are undoubtedly house sites, occupying the top of the outcrop. Many of the buildings are partially or largely obscured by gorse bushes and the S end of the outcrop is totally obscured by briars and gorse. The largest visible building (dims. 6m N-S; 8.5m E-W), in the NW quadrant, is defined by an earthen bank and is aligned E-W. The majority of the buildings appear to share this alignment, though some, including a building (dims. 8m N-S; 4.5m E-W) immediately S of the largest building, are aligned N-S. Though many of the buildings are poorly preserved, several of these have possible entrances, the majority being on the E side at the S end, with one example being on the S side at the E end. In the E quadrant there is a substantial linear bank (overall Wth 4.3m; H 0.6m at S; H 0.55m at N) running E-W, which does not continue across the outcrop. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of revised upload: 9 October 2014