1991:072 - CASTLEDERMOT: Carlow Street, Kildare

A greenfield site located within the bounds of the medieval walled town of Castledermot was the subject of one day's test trenching in October 1991. Planning permission for a two storey private dwelling house was granted to the landowner pending the results of archaeological investigation.

Two trenches c. 13m x 1.2m were opened to a maximum depth of 0.55m. Top soil was removed by mechanical excavator whereupon a number of linear features were exposed both cut into the natural boulder clay and into other loamy clay deposits. With the exception of a stone-filled field drain, medieval pottery was recovered from these deposits, 35 sherds in total. At the southern end of both trenches a number of granite boulders, slightly curving, were set into a roughly key-shaped cut. Although the full extent of this feature was not uncovered, both its structure and plan are very similar to that of a drying chamber of a corn-drying kiln. This has not yet been fully established, as the entire site warrants further investigation. As a result of the archaeological report, planning permission for the dwelling house has been deferred until the archaeology on the site has been resolved.

Funding for the test trenching was provided by the land owner.

Castle Cottage, 103 Rathgar Road, Dublin 6