2000:0519 - TINNAMOONA, Chapel Lane, Callan, Kilkenny

An archaeological assessment of the site was carried out in 1999 (Excavations 1999, 139) ahead of granting planning permission. Further testing and monitoring of all groundworks were requested by Dúchas The Heritage Service. Monitoring, testing and limited excavation were subsequently carried out during 2000. Monitoring of topsoil-stripping uncovered the remains of three kilns, spreads of clayey soil mixed with burnt clay and recent dumped deposits, possibly infilling quarry holes.

The limekiln in the south-east corner of the site was uncovered immediately under the sod. It was cleaned and recorded, and the bowl was half-sectioned in the hope of recovering some datable material, but none was found. Finds recovered from topsoil-stripping in the field were scarce and dated to the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. The top fill of the ditch under the east boundary wall included several lumps of lime.

Monitoring of the foundation trench for a boundary wall at right angles to the present east boundary wall uncovered a ditch under the present boundary wall, believed to be on the line of the inner town defences. The ditch was completely filled in before the present wall was constructed. Finds from the upper fill of the ditch included a clay pipe stem and a sherd of brownware, suggesting an 18th/19th-century date for the wall.

The ditch extended 2.2m out from the wall, and there was no evidence for a bank on the west side; it is more likely that the bank was to the east. It is impossible to estimate the full width of the ditch. It was excavated to a depth of 0.9m, and the fills suggested that it was gradually filled with clay and soil from the sides of the ditch and surrounding field.

Knockrower Road, Stradbally, Co. Waterford