1996:219 - ULLARD, Kilkenny

An archaeological watching brief was conducted in January 1995 at Ullard, Graignamanagh, Co. Kilkenny. This site was recognised as having possible archaeological potential owing to its vicinity to a monastic site situated approximately half a mile north-west of the much later former Church of Ireland building under renovation, and the subject of this watching brief. This monastic settlement was founded by St Fiachra, who died in AD 670.

The old parish church is an interesting ruin, conveying a link between the ancient Irish and the Gothic style of architecture. It consists of a nave and choir, the nave measuring 33ft in length and 22ft in width, while the choir measured 24ft by 18ft. The doorway, which is in the west gable, consists of a round archway, divided into three sections, erected at the beginning of the twelfth century, immediately before the introduction of the Gothic style. The lower part of the church is built of large granite blocks, but the upper part consists of rough slate stones, which appear out of character with the original portion.

This National Monument at Ullard includes a ninth/tenth-century cross.

A series of three trenches were excavated. Trench A was opened to accommodate the insertion of a septic tank. Trenches B and C (soak-pits) were excavated on the south side of the existing building.

The stratigraphy was similar throughout the trenches and consisted of topsoil, a yellow compact sand layer, and large natural granite stone pieces (Trench A only). The stratigraphy recorded during the excavation suggests a consistent soil profile throughout the site.

There was no evidence for any archaeological features or burials in the areas excavated, and there were no finds.

Editor's note: The report on this site arrived too late for inclusion in the bulletin for 1995, and so has been included this year.

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