2006:583 - KELLYSTOWN, Clonsilla, Dublin

Pre-development testing was undertaken at Kellystown to determine the exact nature of DU013–018, which is listed as ‘ring-barrow possible’. The SMR file reported ‘three conjoined barrows, which comprise of an external bank and internal ditch enclosing slightly raised interiors. The features possess an average internal diameter of 11m; a bank width of 2.5m and a height 0.6m. All three monuments are very clearly defined within the aerial photographs taken of the area.’

Test-trenching took place on 23 May. This was carried out using a JCB excavator, with a flat, toothless bucket. Three trenches were investigated across the test area, which measures c. 36m by 30m. The trenches, placed on an east–west axis, located a ditch along the interior of the bank of one of the three conjoined circular embanked features. Its presence strongly suggests that the feature is a type of barrow and, by inference, that the other two circular features belong to the same monument typology.

Trench 1 cut the westernmost circular feature on its west cardinal compass point. Topsoil was removed to a depth of c. 0.15m below present ground level (PGL). Along the interior of the low bank (i.e. in the eastern extent of the trench) the subsoil became stonier and darker in colour and could be identified as redeposited natural, similar to the deposit identified in Trench 2. This deposit in Trench 1 is highly significant due to its location along the interior of the bank, despite the fact that no clear edge could be identified.

Trench 2 cut the easternmost circular feature on its east cardinal compass point. Topsoil was removed to a depth of c. 0.15m below PGL. Along the interior of the bank a deposit (which was originally believed to be natural/subsoil) was noted. This deposit sealed the ditch, obscuring its outline. Once removed, the edges of the ditch could be identified. The ditch cut was 0.85m wide at the top, narrowing to 0.2m wide at the base, and was 0.7m deep. The ditch fill was light-brown/orange sandy sterile clay, resembling natural subsoil; however, the fill was looser in compaction.

Finally, Trench 3 cut the southernmost circular feature on its east cardinal compass point. The circular bank of this feature was almost completely ploughed out. Along the interior of the bank a stonier and slightly darker brown deposit, interspersed with redeposited natural, was noted. No clear edge could be discerned, but, due to its location along the interior of the bank, it is likely that this deposit is similar to C2 in Trench 2, which effectively seals an interior ditch.

The ditch located in the interior of the low bank of Circular Feature B would strongly suggest that this circular feature is a barrow or, more accurately, an ‘embanked ring-ditch’. This interpretation concurs with the general definition of a barrow, as defined by Corlett (2005, 63), who writes: ‘perhaps the most common form of ring-barrow is a low, circular mound enclosed by a concentric ditch and outer bank’.

Reference
Corlett, C. 2005 Ring-barrows – a circular argument with a ring of truth? In T. Condit and C. Corlett (eds.), Above and beyond: essays in memory of Leo Swan, 63–71.