Bawn, Kilcash, Co. Tipperary South
The northern wall of Kilcash bawn stands as the sole survivor of what was once a complete defensive enclosure, stretching 38.5 metres from east to west.
Bawn, Kilcash, Co. Tipperary South
Located about 25 metres north of Kilcash tower house, this sandstone rubble wall was built using rough coursing techniques typical of medieval Irish fortifications. The wall varies slightly in height, measuring 3.4 metres on the interior face and 3.1 metres on the exterior, with a substantial thickness of 1.6 metres that would have provided formidable protection for those within.
The wall has undergone several modifications over the centuries that tell the story of its changing use. Towards the western end, a gateway measuring just over 3 metres wide was inserted at some point after the original construction. To accommodate this entrance, builders removed sections of the internal face to create splayed openings on either side, allowing easier passage whilst maintaining some defensive capability. This alteration suggests the bawn’s transition from purely military purposes to more practical, everyday use.
At the eastern end, the wall reveals another intriguing adaptation. Here, the internal face has been recessed for approximately 11 metres, possibly indicating reconstruction work to incorporate a building that runs north to south within the bawn’s confines. This structure, complete with a gabled roof that rests directly on the ancient bawn wall, demonstrates how successive generations repurposed these medieval defences. Such practical reuse of fortified structures was common throughout Ireland as the need for military defence gave way to agricultural and domestic requirements.





