KILLASHEE (KD024-070—-)
Earthwork
Killashee
This feature was discovered in June 2021 while reviewing LiDAR imagery provided online by the OPW. It was reported to the National Monuments Service and subsequently classed as an Earthwork.
The location of the feature is significant as it is situated on a low rise immediately south of the Early Medieval ecclesiastical site of Killashee (KD024-003005-), which possibly originated during the missionary period of the Christianisation of Ireland in the 5th century. The etymology of Killashee preserves evidence of this potential early establishment. The name is derived from Cell Auxili, meaning Cell or Church of Auxilius, who was an early Christian missionary often associated with the pre-Patrician mission of Palladius.
Killashee itself has a number of other monuments of significance, most notably a medieval tower and souterrains.
The cylindrical or round tower on a square sectioned base (KD024-003002-), although much altered, could date from the 12th century, as it has parallels with the tower at St. Mary’s Augustinian Abbey, Ferns, founded by Diarmait Mac Murchada.
This is a structure that has been overlooked for far too long and needs to be highlighted as an important monument. It has been left physically neglected and remains largely unknown to most of the residents of Naas town. The photograph of the tower was taken in 2010 during a brief period when the tower was stripped of ivy – which has since returned. Public access to the site has also been been blocked intermittently over the years.
West of the tower lies an extensive network of souterrains (KD024-003003-) that are possibly the earliest examples in Ireland, as they are likely to be associated with the original religious establishment (Clinton). Souterrains in Ireland are generally found on early medieval secular settlement sites, such as ringforts, and typically on a smaller scale.
The Killashee souterrains are cut into the sandy soil immediately west of the ecclesiastical site but their full extent is unknown. A geophysical survey carried out in 2004, taken together with various written accounts of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries – when they were partially accessible – would point to the Killashee souterrains as being extensive; at least in the context of this monument type known in Ireland.
One account from 1790 mentioned a section, close to the church, being lined in stone. In 2015, during development of a housing estate approximately 960 meters north-east from the Killashee souterrains, in the townland of Braodfield, another complex of very well structured stone lined souterrains were discovered.
It is evident that this small area south of the county town is archaeologically significant, but unfortunately, it has seen a lot of encroachment by development in recent years and the churchyard and tower at Killshee are once again neglected and clad in ivy.
This newly discovered feature on higher ground just south of the souterrans has been classed as an earthwork by the NMS. It is unlikely to be part of the ecclesiastical site, and, although likely early medieval, it probably represents a much later secular site. It is not detectable as a feature on areal imagery and is evidently too subtle to have been noticed previously on the ground. This serves to highlight the utility of LiDAR imagery to enhance detail of surface features enabling the discovery of previously unrecognised archaeological monuments. The enclosure is approximately 45 meters in diameter and is, therefore, larger then the ringfort – rath (KD024-005—-) located approximately 530 meters to the south-west on lower marshy ground.
ENTRY FROM THE HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT VIEWER
KD024-070—-
Class: Earthwork
Townland: KILLASHEE (Killashee ED)
Scheduled for inclusion in the next revision of the RMP: Yes
Description: In pasture, 80m E of mill site depicted on 1837 ed. OSi 6-inch map. Killashee Church ruins (KD024-003001-) and site of Castle (KD024-002—-) 290m to N. Outline of circular-shaped earthwork visible on Lidar survey. No surface remains visible on Digital Globe orthoimage taken 2011-13.
See attached Lidar image provided courtesy of Seán Sourke
Compiled by: Caimin O’Brien based on details provided by Seán Sourke
Date of upload: 30 June 2021