SITE OF MEDIEVAL VILLAGE UNCOVERED IN KILWORTH
The townland of Ballyclough, Kilworth has recently been the site of a significant archeological discovery. Archeologists believe they have unearthed what used to be once a medieval village and castle, dating back to the 13th-14th century. Pottery fragments were also uncovered.
Bill Power, expert advisor for Cork County Council’s National Monuments Society and chairman of Mitchelstown Heritage Society has been at the site of the recent finds.
“The site in question is on a farmer’s land where there are also the ruins of a medieval church. All that is left of the church is a wall enclosure, but the Historical committee of Cork County Council included the church on a survey of medieval churches,” says Mr. Power.
“There is a ‘registrar of monuments and places’ that lists any monument that dates back to 1800 and any such monument is protected by law,” adds Mr Power who goes on to explain that the discoveries were made with the help of satellite technology and old maps of the area.
“It points out the foundations of a medieval village that might have existed there from the 12th century to the 14-15th century (possibly mud houses built around the castle walls). Villages would disappear in time; they would be deserted due to famine and disease while the mud houses would not last for long stretches of time. The village could also be linked to one of the three powerful families of the 14th -15th century in the area - the Roches, the Barrys and the Condons".
"For the time being, the area has been declared a preservation zone and there is an exclusion zone of 100 metres around the church. No development will take place there without authority approval,” he said.
Published:
Thursday 13th March 7:01pm
