Bawn, Erry, Co. Tipperary South
In the flat grasslands of Erry, County Tipperary South, the grass-covered foundations of what appears to be a medieval tower house mark a fascinating archaeological site.
Bawn, Erry, Co. Tipperary South
The rectangular stone footings sit at the centre of a larger rectangular enclosure measuring 55 metres north to south and 31 metres east to west. This enclosure, defined by an earth and stone bank roughly three metres wide at its base, likely represents the remains of a bawn; a fortified courtyard that would have provided protection for livestock and people during times of conflict. The bank still stands about 0.6 metres high on the interior and 0.7 metres on the exterior, its weathered form suggesting centuries of exposure to the elements.
The site occupies a strategic position at the base of a west-facing hillslope, offering commanding views to the north, south and west whilst being sheltered by higher ground to the east. A stream flows just 115 metres to the west, providing a crucial water source for the castle’s former inhabitants. The tower house and bawn are physically connected to the southern end of a nearby graveyard wall, with the local church and graveyard lying just 50 metres to the north, suggesting this was once the heart of a thriving medieval settlement.
Supporting this theory are the earthworks of what may be a deserted settlement scattered to the west, north and south of the castle remains. A watermill, located 139 metres to the southwest, further indicates this was once a productive agricultural community. Though only foundation stones and earthen banks remain today, the site offers a tangible connection to medieval Ireland, when such fortified dwellings served as both homes and defensive strongholds for local lords and their communities.





