Settlement deserted — medieval in Baronstown

Aerial photographs taken by Cambridge University in 1966 clearly show the extensive remains of medieval settlement earthworks associated with 'Kilbixy Town' (WM011-155----) in the fields to the W and SW of the 19th century Church of Ireland church (CUCAP APH006/007/008/009; ATF079/080/081/082; BDV066). The earthworks represent the remains of the deserted settlement (WM011-155----) indicated on the 1837 OS 6-inch map as the 'Site of Kilbixy Town' and which is marked in a field located 300m E of the field containing the earthworks. A motte and bailey (WM011-039----) is located 200m to the N, the site of a medieval church (WM011-040002-), a medieval hospital (WM011-040001-) and graveyard (WM011-040005-) are located 100m to the E. The earthworks were described in 1972 as 'In the large field where St. Brigid's well (WM011-038----) is situated there is an extensive complex of banks, scarp and depressions, including two parallel banks, which may represent part at least of the old town of Kilbixy' (SMR file 1972). These earthworks are clearly visible on Digital Globe aerial photographs taken November 2011. On this aerial photograph there are no visible earthworks associated with a settlement in the field depicted as the ''Site of Kilbixy Town' and which is also annotated as 'Burgess Land'. Same site as WM011-155----. See WM011-155---- entry for more details. Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 4 October 2010