2025:610 - Garreenleen and Bendinstown, Carlow

Archaeological monitoring of excavations associated with the Garreenleen Solar Farm recorded archaeological features in the townlands of Garreenleen and Bendinstown, Co. Carlow. Preliminary results from the specialist reports indicate funerary and domestic sites dating from the Early Neolithic (c. 4000 BC) through the Middle Bronze Age (1600-1200 BC), Late Bronze Age (1200-500 BC) and medieval period (1150-1500 AD).

Archaeological features revealed along the access roads in Areas A and B were recorded and preserved in situ. In Area A pits were recorded containing fills of burnt stone and charcoal fragments. These archaeological features extend into the south baulk of the access road.

A number of pits containing charred wood fragments were recorded in the LV trench in Area C and extended into the baulks beyond the excavations.

The partial remains of a Late Bronze Age urn cremation were recorded in the LV trench in Area D, Field Z19. The urn was excavated in accordance with the Guidance on the Treatment of Human Remains. Irish Association of Professional Osteoarchaeologists for Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland and conserved by Susannah Kelly. The Osteoarchaeological Report by Caoimhe Ní Thoibín has identified the presence of cremated but unfused epiphyses which clearly indicates a juvenile individual. The Pottery Report by Dr. Rose Cleary records the urn as a bucket-shaped vessel similar to vessels amply represented at domestic Middle-Late Bronze Age sites.

Archaeological features were identified in the MV trench in Area E, Field Z23. The excavations revealed a layer containing pottery dating to the Neolithic period (Pottery Report, Dr. Rose Cleary).

Archaeological monitoring of the excavations of MV and LV trenching revealed numerous archaeological features in Areas F and H and the following were recorded:

• Flat cemetery – which included 5 pits with cremated bone and stake-holes
• 3 ditches running north-south;

Ditch (F4/8) located to the east of the flat cemetery contained inclusions of pottery, charcoal and cremated bone.

Ditch (F29) located to the east of F4/8 contained fragment of Early Neolithic Pottery.

Ditch (F16) contained a fill of burnt stone and frequent charcoal in the south and cut into the curvilinear ditch (F43) in the north (Area H).

• The partial remains of a ring-ditch (F1) (Area F).
• Numerous pits containing pottery and charcoal (Area F).
• Numerous burning pits/pyres (F.11, F.14, F.41, F.67, F. 70) containing frequent cremated bone and charcoal, in the north of the area.
• Partial recording of a curvilinear ditch enclosure Feature 43/44 in the north of the area (Area H) which contained a basal fill with charcoal, Middle Bronze Age pottery and animal bone.

The specialist report indicates pottery from one pit (Feature 21) dating to the Early Neolithic and numerous pottery fragments from the pits and the enclosure dating to the mid-late Bronze Age. The Osteoarchaeological Report by Caoimhe Ní Thoibín has identified ‘larger fragments, long bones of the arms and legs and skull fragments were evidentially gathered for burial. To a far lesser degree ribs, vertebrae, pelvis, scapula and metatarsal/carpal are present. The disparity between the former and latter may be explained by preference at collection/burial or by robustness of bony element’. The animal bone has been cleaned and analysed by Dr. Emily Murray (National Museum of Ireland, Export Licence 8578). The preliminary report indicates that most of the bone assemblage is from C.85, the basal fill of the curvilinear ditch (F.43), and comprised of cattle, horse, sheep/goat and dog.

Archaeological monitoring in the LV trench in Area G, in the townland of Bendinstown, recorded a layer of burnt stone with charcoal fragments and the cremation pit burial. The Osteoarchaeological Report by Caoimhe Ní Thoibín has identified ‘larger fragments, long bones of the arms and legs and skull fragments were evidentially gathered for burial. To a far lesser degree ribs, vertebrae, pelvis, scapula and metatarsal/carpal are present. The disparity between the former and latter may be explained by preference at collection/burial or by robustness of bony element’.

The archaeological excavation of features revealed during the course of the archaeological monitoring of excavations in the townlands of Garreenleen and Bendinstown was completed in February, 2026. The works have resulted in the identification of previously unknown archaeological sites which provide evidence for  domestic and funerary archaeological activity from the Early Neolithic, through the Bronze Age and up to the 19^th century. The charcoal samples have been identified (National Museum of Ireland- Alter Licence 8579) by Dr Ellen O’Carroll and licences prepared for export/alter for Radiocarbon Dating in Queen’s University Belfast.  Soil samples are being processed for further potential micro-artefacts and organic materials. A final report will be submitted on receipt of all specialists’ reports and radiocarbon dating.