County: Kildare Site name: MOONE
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 05E0813
Author: Martin E. Byrne, Byrne Mullins & Associates, 7 Cnoc na Gréine Square, Kilcullen, Co. Kildare.
Site type: No archaeological significance
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 677192m, N 693235m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.984294, -6.850424
Testing took place at the site of a proposed dormer bungalow with detached garage, two loose boxes and secondary wastewater treatment unit at Moone, Co. Kildare. The site is located to the east of, and across the road from, Moone Abbey, consisting of the partial remains of an Early Christian church which was subsequently extended in the medieval period and again in the 15th century. Also included in the site are Moone High Cross and fragments of other crosses. This site was partially excavated in advance of a programme of conservation works (Clyne 1998–9), following which the cross remains were re-erected within the church and under a protective roof structure. The church is situated in a graveyard which was subsequently enclosed by a high wall in the late 18th century. The road adjoining the proposed development site incorporates a curve which may be indicative of the line of an Early Christian enclosure.
Five trenches were excavated by machine fitted with a toothless ditching/grading bucket, following which the sides and bases were cleaned by hand. No deposits of archaeological interest were uncovered during the course of testing. However, thirteen sherds of pottery and three fragments of 19th-century clay pipes were recovered. Analysis of the pottery, undertaken by Ms Clare McCutcheon, indicates that the assemblage included medieval (Dublin-type ware), 17th-century (North Devon sgraffito) and 18th-century (black glazed/glazed red) sherds.
Reference
Clyne, M. 1998–9 Interim report on archaeological excavations at Moone Abbey, Co. Kildare. JKAS, 18(4), 473–92.
