2001:1225 - KILFEAKLE, Tipperary

As part of an archaeological impact assessment ahead of planning permission for three houses, testing was carried out within the designated area described as ‘Deserted Settlement’ to the west of Kilfeakle Motte on 10 March 2001.

The mottes of Kilfeakle and Knockgraffon were erected c. 1192 (O’Donovan 1848–51, 95). In 1196 Donald MacCarthy of Desmond attacked Kilfeakle manor (Empey 1985, 77). The description of Kilfeakle in the Civil Survey of County Tipperary, 1654–6 (Simington 1934), shows that the area was largely destroyed by the vicissitudes of the 1641 Rebellion. Previous work west of the church and graveyard in Kilfeakle carried out by Ken Hanley (Excavations 1999, No. 830, 99E0442) revealed medieval material in association with several undated potential archaeological features.

Six 1m by 20m test-trenches were opened in a greenfield site using a machine. Archaeological features were found in all six trenches. Three produced evidence of pits, stone spreads and plough-furrows, which appear to relate to extant linear earthworks north of and in the same field as the development site. In situ medieval pottery was found in some of these features. The other test-trenches produced further evidence of pits, metalled surfaces and plough-furrows, but no ceramic evidence was found. The closeness of these features to the definite medieval features, the similarity of the features, and the close proximity of the motte suggest that the archaeological features represent evidence of the manorial occupation of Kilfeakle after 1192. Monitoring of any subsequent ground investigations was recommended.

References
Empey, C.A. 1985 The Norman period: 1185–1500. In W. Nolan and T. G. McGrath (eds), Tipperary: history and society, 71–92. Dublin.
O’Donovan, J. (ed.) 1848–51 Annals of the Four Masters (7 vols), vol. 3. Dublin.
Simington, R. C. 1934 The Civil Survey 1654–1656, Co. Tipperary, Western and Northern Baronies (2 vols), vol. 2. Dublin.

Boscabell, Cashel, Co. Tipperary