2003:897 - CLANE: Abbeylands, Kildare

Monitoring of topsoil-stripping and all ground disturbances took place from July to September in Phase 1 of a housing development at Abbeylands, Clane, Co. Kildare. The site is situated on the southern side of the town of Clane, with its western boundary adjacent to the Sallins/Naas road (R407). It is bounded on its southern and eastern sides by the River Liffey. The development is partly located within the zone of archaeological potential established for Clane. House foundations were excavated by track machine to a varied depth of 0.5–0.75m, while main services were at a depth of c. 1–2m, depending on the slope of the ground. Topsoil was 0.2–0.3m deep and consisted of mid- to dark-brown friable boulder clay, which was consistent across the site. It overlay subsoil: very soft brown silty sand with frequent flecks of mica and decayed black stone with a depth of 0.3m. This in turn overlay yellow/orange naturally gravelly clay. One rim-sherd of blackware was recorded from the topsoil. Two modern field drains/shores were located within the area stripped. One large piece of worked stone, measuring 0.39m by 0.29m by 0.16m, was recovered from the north–south drain. It was possibly a mullion from the Franciscan friary located c. 100m to the west. Two pieces of medieval pottery were recorded from plough furrows. No other features of archaeological significance were recorded. Isolated patches of recent burning and irregular burnt-root systems were evident.

Brehon House, Kilkenny Road, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny