Earthwork in Kilbragh (kilbragh Par.)

On a low ridge running roughly N–S, at the base of a hill which rises to the WNW, in undulating pasture. There is a stream which runs NE–SW 200-300m to the E–SE–S and the land slopes gently to the low land adjacent to the stream. The tree covered hill on which Tullamain motte and bailey (TS069-045003-) stands is visible 1km to the SE. Two ringforts (TS069-018---- and TS069-025----) are visible c. 600m and c. 400m respectively on the hillside to the NNW. Within the field where Kilbragh church (TS069-026----) and graveyard (TS069-026001-) are located there are earthworks, many of which do not form any recognisable pattern. In the SW angle of the field there are three conjoined sub-rectangular enclosures (diam. of N enclosure 36m N–S; 23m E–W; mid enclosure 26.5m N–S; 36.5 E–W; S enclosure 23m N–S; 27m E–W) which run N–S E of the NE–SW field boundary. The western edge of these enclosures appears to have been truncated by the NE–SW field boundary, there is no trace of the enclosures on the W side of the field boundary. The S side of the S enclosure also appears to have been truncated by a field boundary running E–W, there is a scarp running roughly parallel to this enclosure in the field to the S at a distance of 8m which may be southern edge. E of these enclosures there is a curvilinear depression (L c. 100m; internal Wth 8.7m), running roughly N–S, delineated by the E bank (int. H 0.45m; ext. H 0.25m; Wth at top 1.6m; overall Wth 4m) of the conjoined enclosures on the W side and by a mixture of scarp and bank (int. H 0.55m; ext. H 0.2m; Wth at top 2.1m; overall Wth 4.2m) on the E side, the southern portion of which may be enclosing the W side of the graveyard. The centre of this depression is slightly raised (Wth c. 4m) with a suggestion of a fosse (D 0.15-0.45m) on either side. The earthworks may in part be related to field drainage and there is a pond in the NE corner of the field, however, the close proximity of the church and graveyard and the presence of well defined enclosures and a possible hollow-way suggest that the earthworks represent the remains of a settlement. Compiled by: Jean Farrelly Date of upload: 17 October 2011