County: Kildare Site name: BALLYSHANNON DEMESNE
Sites and Monuments Record No.: SMR 28:58/32:3 Licence number: 98E0345
Author: Martin E. Byrne
Site type: Excavation - miscellaneous
Period/Dating: Medieval (AD 400-AD 1600)
ITM: E 677865m, N 704628m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.086574, -6.837639
An archaeological evaluation was undertaken at a proposed development site at Ballyshannon Demesne, Kilcullen, on 29 July 1998. The work was undertaken in compliance with recommendations issued by The National Monuments and Historic Properties Service, Dúchas, in respect of a pre-planning enquiry.
The site lies in the immediate environs of an archaeological complex comprising a motte, earthwork and church. Colonel John Hewson, who was with Cromwell's army, described Ballyshannon in 1650 as a strong garrison with double works and wet moats with a mount with a fort upon it.
Ten trial-trenches were excavated by mechanical excavator fitted with a 'ditching' bucket. No features or structures were revealed, and fifteen sherds of medieval/post-medieval pottery were recovered scattered over the entire area, with a higher percentage found to the south.
It was expected that parts of the outer defensive system associated with the 17th-century fortifications of 'Ballyshannon Castle' would be revealed. However, given the locations, lengths and orientations of the trial-trenches, together with the negative results, it can be implied that such features lie to the west of the tested area.
39 Kerdiff Park, Monread, Naas, Co. Kildare
