County: Kildare Site name: KILRATHMURRAY AND BALLINLIG
Sites and Monuments Record No.: KD001-013 Licence number: 04E0383
Author: Donald Murphy, Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd.
Site type: Metalworking site
Period/Dating: Undetermined
ITM: E 666020m, N 743031m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.433245, -7.006465
An assessment of two borrow pits was carried out from 28 July to 3 August 2004. The first borrow pit was located in the townland of Kilrathmurray and the second in Ballinlig. Both were used for the extraction of material for use in the construction of the M4 Kinnegad–Kilcock Motorway.
Kilrathmurray
A total of 30 trenches were excavated throughout the site. The area to be tested was originally spread out over six fields, but it was decided to use only three of these fields for quarrying. Three features of archaeological significance were exposed: a stone feature, a spread associated with metalworking and an oxidised and charcoal spread.
The stone feature was located within Field 1. The exact function of this feature is not known, but it may represent the remains of a kiln. The second area of significance, a spread, was located within Field 3. Slag was recovered from this feature and it was probably associated with metalworking. The third area of significance was also located within Field 3 and consisted of a charcoal and oxidised spread.
As all of these features were to be impacted upon, full archaeological excavation was recommended. This was carried out by Linda Clarke under licence 04E1181 (No. 845, Excavations 2004).
Ballinlig
A total of seventeen trenches were excavated throughout the site. No features of archaeological significance were exposed and no finds were recovered.
Unit 21, Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co. Louth
