monastic precinct alongside the river and a large outer enclosure to the south. In the fifteenth century, the latter was referred to as Villa Prioris but in more recent times it has been known as Burgher's Court, the Burgess or Burgess Court. Burgess Court is adopted here because it reflects the purpose for which it was constructed. In the past, Burgess Court was thought to have been the site of the medieval borough of Kell but modern research has shown that this was not the case. Today, all the monastic remains are grouped together in the precinct, while Burgess Court is little more than a walled field. Excavations Tom Fanning, a state archaeologist and subsequently senior archaeology lecturer in NUI Galway began an excavation of the site in 1972. His work was completed by Miriam Clyne after Fanning's death in 1993. The excavation is one of the largest ever undertaken in Ireland at a monastic house and the publication by , Kells Priory, Co. Kilkenny: archaeological excavations by T. Fanning & M. Clyne, is one of the largest ever published on a rural medieval site. There were approximately 20,000 archaeological finds which range from pieces of carved stone, pottery including Ham Green, floor and ridge tiles, metal objects as well as a collection of painted window glass which has allowed the reconstruction of what some of the window patterns may have looked like. The original priory church was a simple cruciform building, but, over time, was extended in several directions, including the fifteenth-century second enclosure. Burials Patrick Barrett See also List of abbeys and priories in Ireland (County Kilkenny) References Further reading External links A site by Daniel Tietzsch-Tyler with photos and plans. http://www.roundtowers.org/kilree/index.htm – Kilree Round Tower and High Cross Christian monasteries in the Republic of Ireland Archaeological sites in County Kilkenny Buildings and structures in County Kilkenny Religion in County Kilkenny Ruins in the Republic of Ireland Former populated places in Ireland National Monuments in County Kilkenny