County: Kildare Site name: MULHALL FORT, Graigues
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: —
Author: Georgina Scally,
Site type: No archaeology found
Period/Dating: N/A
ITM: E 679633m, N 726828m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.285778, -6.805728
In September 1990, Kildare County Council granted planning permission for the construction of a new single-storey dwelling house on the site of 'Mulhall's Fort' at Graigues, Blackwood, Co. Kildare. Planning permission was subject to a number of conditions, one of which was that an archaeologist be employed by the developer to supervise all excavation work on the site, including clearance, reduction of existing ground levels and all foundation works.
Archaeological monitoring of the site took place over the period of one day in February 1991. All areas where disturbance to the ground would occur due to the construction of the dwelling were investigated, i.e. the area of the dwelling itself c. 17.5m x 12.3m, two sump holes, each 5.5m x 1m, the main sewerage drain c. 23m x 1m and the area of the septic tank, c. 6.8m x 2.15m. The full extent of each of these areas was investigated by mechanical digger and subsoil was exposed at between 0.35m to 0.8m below present ground level. With the exception of the two field drains and a number of relatively modern postholes with the partial remains of stakes of rotted timbers painted with 'red lead' still in situ, no features, finds or strata of any archaeological significance were uncovered on the site.
Funding was provided by the developer.
Castle Cottage, 103 Rathgar Road, Dublin 6
