- Leggetsrath West, Co. Kilkenny, Kilkenny

In December 1960 human remains were discovered during quarrying operations at Altamount, on the eastern side of Kilkenny City at Leggetsrath West.¹³⁹ Sand was being mechanically removed from a pit that was being worked by Kilkenny County Council. The remains of a number of individuals were uncovered at a depth of c. 0.3m from the surface of the pit. The discovery was reported to the Gardaí at Kilkenny, who informed the National Museum. The site was visited by Ellen Prendergast, accompanied by Dr W.J. Phelan of Kilkenny Hospital. As far as could be seen, the burials all lay on the same horizon in the section. The orientation of the burials was not noted, but at least one appeared to have been extended and positioned on an east/west axis. There was no trace of stone protection or darker soil around the burials, and no associated artefacts were found in the vicinity. According to Dr Phelan, the remains appeared to be those of adults, at least some of which were male. Dr Phelan noted that the area had formerly been a burial place attached to a workhouse in the nineteenth century. The remains were given to the coroner and it was agreed that work at the site would be occasionally observed by Dr Phelan, pending the discovery of datable evidence.

139. Parish of St John’s, barony of Gowran. SMR KK019-126——. The spot is marked on the third edition OS 6in. sheet as a disused quarry and part of it is known locally as Shanks Yard.