2024:807 - Dunnstown, Kildare

Archaeological monitoring was carried out as part of the expansion of an 400kV sub-station located at Dunnstown, County Kildare. An Archaeological Impact Assessment (AIA) report and test excavation was completed by Archer Heritage Planning Ltd in May 2022. The test excavation identified a single pit containing burnt stone (licence No. 21E0871). No evidence was found for the presence of any of the four small enclosure sites (RMP No. KD024-051001, KD024-051002, KD024-051003, & KD024-052004) identified as crop marks from aerial photographs.
The AIA recommended archaeological monitoring of ground works. Archaeological monitoring of Phase 1 was carried out during November 2024 and the single pit identified during testing was excavated. The pit was sub-circular in plan, measuring 1m north-south x 0.9m with a depth of 0.2m. The base of the pit contained a single fill of friable stoney black sandy silt with frequent fragments (50%) of heat-cracked stones. A large flat stone, 0.55m x 0.35m lay in the northern part of the fill. The type and positioning of the heat-cracked stones with sharp fracture lines suggested they broke off the larger stone when deposited in the pit. No other associated features were found.

Archaeological monitoring of Phase 2 was carried out during May 2025. No additional features or finds were found.