County: Carlow Site name: BALLYBANNON
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: A021/055
Author: Joanne Hughes, Headland Archaeology Ltd.
Site type: Excavation - miscellaneous
Period/Dating: Multi-period
ITM: E 671817m, N 670792m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.783365, -6.935406
Testing in this area during Contract 3 testing on the N9/N10 Kilcullen to Waterford road scheme identified features of archaeological potential in almost every trench and, while no specific site type was identified, it is clear that post-medieval, possible late medieval and possible prehistoric activity is represented. This site also lies in the vicinity of SMR 12:11 (moated site) and is directly adjacent to SMR 12:12 (earthwork site), which has been extensively quarried for sand and gravel in the past.
The features identified in this area comprise numerous and multi-directional cultivation furrows and ditches, the majority of which are post-medieval in date. However, two of these linear features contained medieval pottery in their fills. Concentrations of stake-holes, post-holes and pits were identified close to the Clonmelsh quarry road, but no recognisable pattern or structure could be identified in their arrangement. The sample excavation of a very small number of these affirmed their potential as archaeological features, but no diagnostic dating evidence was recovered. Given the proximity of some of these features to the prehistoric activity identified on adjoining sites (see No. 96, A021/054, Excavations 2005), it is assumed that some of these features may be prehistoric in date, while the medieval potential for others is recognised. Further investigation during the resolution phase of work should resolve their date.
Unit 4b, Europa Enterprise Park, Midleton, Co. Cork
