2024:810 - Kilbrennan 1 and 2, Westmeath

The two sites, Kilbrennan 1 and 2, were identified during preliminary archaeological investigations, which included a geophysical survey and test excavations conducted prior to a large-scale linear development in the area. A significant archaeological site was identified to the north of the route at Kilbrennan 1 during the geophysical survey, comprising a circular enclosure and a possible sunken causeway, along with other associated linear features/field systems. These appeared to extend into the site of Kilbrennan 1, with several potential archaeological features identified during the targeted test trenching that followed. It was during test trenching that the site of Kilbrennan 2 was identified, with a single feature interpreted as a possible kiln uncovered.

As the route of the proposed development could not be amended to avoid these two sites, it was recommended that all archaeological features within the two sites be recorded by preservation (archaeological excavation).

At Kilbrennan 1, a layer of interphase material lay across the eastern extent of the site, making the identification of features initially difficult. This resulted in several features previously identified as archaeological being reclassified as modern in date or non-archaeological. The modern features included a stone bank (C3), a depression (C6), two linear features (C8, C10), and a spread (C51). Non-archaeological features included a spread (C80) and five areas of burning (C17, C18, C19, C45, C54), which were indicative of field clearance.

In total, seven ditch features (C4, C15, C33, C35, C65, C67 and C69) and a possible eighth (C88), two stone-lined cereal-drying kilns (C29, C75), ten pits (C12, C23, C24, C26, C50, C52, C57, C62, C71 and C86), two gullies (C20, C63) and a post-hole (C58) were identified at Kilbrennan 1.

The activity carried out at the site appears to be primarily related to agriculture, with the drying of harvested cereals within the two identified kilns (C29 and C75). Radiocarbon dates were obtained from both of these kiln features, and they were dated to the Late Medieval period. A charred cereal grain of Barley (Hordeum vulgare) recovered from the fill (C31) of kiln C29 returned a date of Cal. AD 1440-1640 (380 ± 30 BP; C14-10131) and hazel charcoal from the fill (C77) of kiln C75 returned a date of cal. AD 1300-1420 (580 ± 30 BP; C14-10132). Two pits (C23, C26) and possibly three others (C24, C52, C71) may have functioned as storage pits for the cereals either before or after being preserved within the kilns. A significant quantity of charred seeds was recovered from all these pits, and all were in relatively close proximity west of the kilns C29 and C75. The function of pits C12, C50, C57, and C62 is unclear, although their location (immediately adjacent to modern feature C6) and sterile fill suggest they may be modern in date.

A series of converging linear features (C65, C67, C69) and a large pit (C86) in the western extent of the site may have served as a means of managing water at the site, acting to both drain standing water away from the kiln working areas and the harvested cereals, while the water accumulating within the pit would have ensured a nearby supply of water. It is likely that these features were also related to and contemporary with the enclosure identified in the geophysical survey to the north.

The ditches C4 and C15 at the eastern extent of the site, as well as ditches C33 and C35 at the western extent of the site, are likely associated with field systems, also linked to the enclosure identified to the north. The ditch C4 was cut by the ditch C15, which in turn was cut by the kiln C75. As mentioned above, the kiln C75 returned a date of cal. AD 1300-1420. The ditches C4 and C15, therefore, predate AD1300-1420, but by how much is not known.

The excavation of the field to the north would be required to fully understand the partially excavated features identified at Kilbrennan 1, such as the two gullies (C20, C63) along the northern edge of the site, as well as the converging ditches (C65, C67, C69) suspected to be associated with water management. However, the presence of the two kilns (C29, C75) confirms a large settlement related to the enclosure to the north and likely connected to a wider early medieval community in the area.

The site of Kilbrennan 2 was deemed non-archaeological. The feature initially identified as a possible kiln was found to be a natural deposit, likely caused by tree or plant roots. No other features were identified within the site of Kilbrennan 2.

No further archaeological mitigation is required at Kilbrennan 1 and 2, as all features are either preserved in situ or documented by record.