County: Kerry Site name: KILLALEE, Fossa
Sites and Monuments Record No.: RMP 66:8 Licence number: 00E0304
Author: Emer Dennehy, Eachtra Archaeological Projects
Site type: Church, Graveyard and Cremation pit
Period/Dating: Multi-period
ITM: E 489850m, N 592191m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.070698, -9.606721
Testing was undertaken at the site of Killalee Church on behalf of Kerry County Council in order to assess the feasibility of realigning the N72 road, which is located to the south of the church. The proposed realignment will pass within 8m of the church. There are no above-ground archaeological remains surrounding the church.
Two trenches were opened. Trench 1 was T-shaped and measured 13m north–south by 7m; it was located immediately south of the church doorway. The removal of topsoil exposed a yellow-brown, gravel/silt layer in which a potential eighteen grave-cuts were identified. Four skeletons were partially exposed by the removal of topsoil, and because of the brittle nature of their bones their complete excavation was deemed necessary. Two of the skeletons were those of adults; the remaining skeletal remains were from neo-nates. There were no above-ground grave-markers indicating the use of this area as a burial-ground.
Trench 2 was located to the east of the church. It was linear in plan and measured 20m east–west by 3m; the trench was excavated to an average depth of 0.5m. Two cremation pits were identified in the eastern limits of the trench; a plough furrow heavily truncated these. Only the base and side of the easternmost cremation pit, C14, survived; as a result it was excavated in full. Most of cremation pit C15 remained intact, and it was excavated in section only.
It would appear that the environs of Killalee Church were utilised as a children’s burial-ground. This general area was also utilised in the prehistoric period, as testified by the presence of two cremation pits.
3 Canal Place, Tralee, Co. Kerry
