2006:930 - Ballyburn Lower, Kildare

A shallow, irregular-shaped mound of charcoal and heat-shattered limestone and sandstone measuring 11m long (north–south) and 4.5m wide was excavated as part of the N9/N10 Kilcullen to Waterford road scheme: Kilcullen to Powerstown. A sub-oval trough measuring 2.5m long (east–west) and 1.2m wide was found c. 2m to the north of the mound, adjacent to a small running stream. The trough had timber rails running lengthwise, at the exact level of the groundwater in the area, and showed evidence of expert construction in the placement of the rails and strengthening of the sides to create a suitable and convenient working space. To the west of the trough, a total of 144 stake-holes were clustered in a tight group, running approximately in a north–south orientation, possibly creating a windbreak or storage racks. From the amount and placement of stake-holes, it is possible that this trough was seasonally or repeatedly used. A circular pit measuring 2.2m in diameter was located c. 1.5m to the east of the trough, containing heat-shattered stone and charcoal, and evidence of recutting. No finds were recovered from this excavation.