2006:925 - ATHY: 39–40 Duke Street, Kildare

Testing was conducted at 39–40 Duke Street in advance of a residential development. The proposed development area lies within the zone of archaeological constraint for Athy town and some 10m inside the postulated line of the medieval town walls. What may be the remains of a motte are situated some 60m to the north and the adjacent St John’s Lane gave access to the 13th-century Augustinian priory. The proposed development site lies along the line of a burgage plot as indicated by Rocque’s map of 1756. Two test-trenches were opened. The remains of a brick-lined pit were the only feature of note uncovered. This was subsequently excavated by Patrick Neary (see No. 926, Excavations 2006).