Settlement deserted

According to Bradley et al. (1986a, Vol. I, 23-4), there are no documentary references to Ardscull before the coming of the Normans, after which it’s likely that it became a borough of some importance. In 1282, it was noted that William de Mohun had held Ardscull until his death and that there were 160 burgesses there, as well as a mill and a church. Ardscull was burned in 1286 by Philip Stanton, and later, in 1316, Edward Bruce defeated the justiciar’s (chief governor of Ireland) army 2km N of Ardscull at Skerries. The precise location and extent of the borough is unknown: it’s likely to have been either in the vicinity of the church (KD035-012001-), graveyard (KD035-012004-), and very large, but levelled ecclesiastical enclosure (KD035-012002-), or near the fine motte (KD035-010001-) just over 1km to the NW; or possibly somewhere between the two. Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy Date of upload: 04 December 2013