County: Kildare Site name: NEW ABBEY STUD, New Abbey and Nicholastown
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: —
Author: Georgina Scally
Site type: No archaeology found
Period/Dating: N/A
ITM: E 684632m, N 709331m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.127801, -6.735417
In June 1991 trial-trenching was carried out in three different areas of a c. 470 acre stud farm at New Abbey, Kilcullen, Co. Kildare. The first area was adjacent to an existing 19th-century gate lodge which was to be partly demolished, extended and serviced by a new septic tank system. The lodge was located close to the site of a 15th-century monastery and graveyard. The location of the septic tank had not been decided upon at the time of trenching so a number of alternative areas were tested. Ten trenches were investigated, varying in length from 2.3m to 3.3m and all were c. 1 .2m wide. In each of the trenches top soil was removed onto natural deposits of grey gravel which in turn overlay sterile yellow boulder clay. No finds or features of any archaeological significant were uncovered.
The second area was that adjacent to the main house where twentyfour horse boxes were being built. A total of thirteen trial trenches were opened over an area of c. 133m x 4.5m. In each of the trenches top soil was removed onto either undisturbed natural gravel and sand or onto modern dump material. No finds or features of any archaeological significance were uncovered.
The third area of investigation was a greenfield site, the intended location of another twenty-four horse boxes and ancillary buildings. Five trenches were opened varying in length from 10m-40m and all were 1m wide. All trenches were devoid of any archaeological remains.
Trial trenching was carried out over a period of two days and was funded by the developer.
Castle Cottage, 103 Rathgar Road, Dublin 6
