2024:831 - Carbury, Kildare

A programme of Archaeological Monitoring of the foundation trenches associated with the installation of two sets of replacement 110kV Electricity Transmission Poles was undertaken at Carbury, Co. Kildare. The poles were located within the RMP Zone established with respect to a multi-element monument (SMR No: KD008-001). The overall monument comprises a probable 12th-century earthwork castle/motte (KD008-001001), abutted at east by a 13th-century Anglo-Norman masonry castle (KD008-001002), which was enlarged to north and east into a late-16th/17th-century fortified house (KD008-001003) with later, landscaped gardens (KD008-001004) to east, southeast and south, associated with the 18th/19th-century alterations and occupancy of the house. Prominently sited at the northern end, but off the summit of Carbury Hill (OD 470 feet), in an isolated area overlooking bog to north and east and pasture to southeast and west. Higher ground limits aspect to south-southwest and included three barrows (KD008-003, KD008-004 and KD008-005). A church (KD008-001005) and graveyard (KD008-001006), c. 80m down slope to south may have medieval origins.

Notification of the works was submitted to the National Monuments Service, as required under Section 12(3) of the National Monuments (Amendment) Act 1994, who recommended that all ground disturbance associated with the works be monitored by an archaeologist and under licence from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

No subsurface features of archaeological interest or potential were uncovered by the excavations; likewise, no artefacts of archaeological or historical interest were recovered.