County: Kildare Site name: CURRAGH
Sites and Monuments Record No.: SMR 23:76 Licence number: 99E0739
Author: James Eogan, ADS Ltd.
Site type: No archaeology found
Period/Dating: N/A
ITM: E 678370m, N 710808m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.142027, -6.828595
The Curragh was a focus of activity associated with the disposal of the dead during prehistory. Some of this activity involved the construction of burial mounds; a considerable number of these sites are known to have existed on the summit of the ridge that is now largely occupied by the Curragh Camp.
This work was commissioned by the Department of Defence in order to address the archaeological implications of the proposed expansion of the Defence Forces Training Centre, which includes the construction of a new swimming pool. This development will take place on a site within an archaeological complex, KE23:76; the site is currently occupied by a carpark and basketball court. It lies at the foot of the ridge on its southern side.
The assessment was carried out on the basis of documentary research and the excavation of four test-trenches on the site of the proposed swimming pool. Nothing of archaeological significance was noted. The foundations of a running track, which formerly occupied the site, were uncovered.
Windsor House, 11 Fairview Strand, Dublin 3
