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Kells Priory, Co. Kilkenny

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  • 07-12-2014 9:38am
    #1
    CeannRua
    Closed Accounts Posts: 470 ✭✭


    I visited this place yesterday and came away a bit amazed by the size and elaborateness of it, especially the walled enclosure with tower houses. Is this our biggest monastic settlement? The OPW signage isn't all that informative but says the walled enclosure was probably used to graze animals. I've found references to it online described as 'burgess court' as well. Is there some sort of consensus on what went on here and what the tower houses were used for? They must have had plenty of money to build all of this! Thanks.


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    #2
    slowburner
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 5,218 Mod ✭✭✭✭slowburner


    CeannRua wrote: »
    I visited this place yesterday and came away a bit amazed by the size and elaborateness of it, especially the walled enclosure with tower houses. Is this our biggest monastic settlement? The OPW signage isn't all that informative but says the walled enclosure was probably used to graze animals. I've found references to it online described as 'burgess court' as well. Is there some sort of consensus on what went on here and what the tower houses were used for? They must have had plenty of money to build all of this! Thanks.
    Kells Priory is one of the most significant Augustinian monastic settlements in Ireland and all the more significant for the extent of its survival.
    The Burgess Court is an extension to the original monastic enclosure and was a necessary response to three sackings in 1252, 1316 and 1327.
    The Priory closed in 1540.
    If you can get your hands on the current edition of Archaeology Ireland (Autumn 2014, issue 109), there is a supplement included with more information.


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    #3
    Simon.d
    Registered Users Posts: 316 ✭✭Simon.d


    An amazing site.. Though think the elaborateness of the fortification stems from a mix of secular and monastic origins, with the burgage holders of Kells Town probably needing a place to keep themselves and their valuables safe in times of unrest.

    Have done a bit of work (and hopefully more to come) in trying to model the extensive earthworks around the enclosed site:
    http://aerialarchaeology.blogspot.ie/2013/09/kells-priory-co-kilkenny.html


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