2002:0048 - LEIGHLINBRIDGE: ‘The Garrison’, Carlow

Testing was undertaken at a proposed development site at ‘The Garrison’, Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow. The site is within the zone of archaeological potential of Leighlinbridge, immediately south of the extant remains of parts of a bawn/town? wall with an associated turret feature. A number of structures are situated within the bawn walls: a 15th-century three-storey tower-house (Black Castle); the subsurface remains of the Carmelite priory of St Mary’s (founded during the reign of Henry III and believed to be the earliest such foundation in Ireland); a blockhouse near an 18th-/19th-century gateway, the latter of which incorporates 16th-century jambs; and a three-storey five-bay Georgian house, with extensions to the north and south, which most likely was constructed on the domestic ranges of the afore-mentioned priory and which may incorporate parts of the earlier building in part of the front (east) wall.

Eight trenches were mechanically excavated within the development area. The testing revealed a layer of marshy topsoil, 0.4m deep, overlying a firm clay/marl subsoil. One trench was positioned along the outside of the line of the bawn wall in an area where it had previously been demolished. The foundation remains of the wall were uncovered at a depth of 75mm. This section was only 1.3m long, the remaining foundation remains within the demolished section having been removed when a pipeline was laid across the wall to service a pump-house/sewage works in the development site. No additional features or artefacts of archaeological interest were uncovered.

Measures have been agreed with Dúchas with regard to the protection of the extant remains adjacent to the site, and it is intended to undertake remedial and conservation work on the turret.

31 Millford, Athgarvan, Co. Kildare