2006:947 - CELBRIDGE: Maynooth Road, Kildare

Monitoring of ground-reduction works associated with the construction of the Celbridge cycle track and the widening of Maynooth Road was undertaken between April and June 2006. Ground reduction was required to a maximum width of 8m and depth of 0.6m along the entire length of the graveyard. The graveyard is attached to Celbridge workhouse, which was constructed in 1841; it is known to have been used by locals as a burial-ground for unbaptised infants. This latter use ceased in the 1950s.

Previous ‘landscaping’ works had taken place in the 1980s whereby topsoil was introduced to level the graveyard and a commemorative cross was erected. Damage to the site had also occurred in the 1970s, when the Maynooth Road was originally widened, and the upcast and building debris from this activity was noted within the graveyard below the level of the introduced topsoil.

A mass burial pit and two individual graves were identified towards the centre of the graveyard; a minimum of seven individuals were identified, all orientated east–west. The mass pit was only partially exposed within the area of development; it was D-shaped in plan and measured 6.2m north–south by 4.5m. The limestone bedrock was extremely high at this location and the pit was either deliberately excavated into the underlying bedrock or a disused quarry pit was utilised. It is believed that this pit was used during the period of the Great Famine, providing a use date of 1845–48. The remains of four individuals were identified on the surface of the pit (Burials 3–6). Burial 5 was an adult female, who appears to have been buried in a pine coffin. Burial 6 was a juvenile; only a fragment of the cranium was exposed on the surface of the pit. It appears to have been buried with a metal cup. Burials 3 and 4 rested directly on the surface of the pit. These are neonate burials and their position and age would indicate they relate to the period of the site’s use as a cillín rather than to workhouse activities. All four of these burials were preserved in situ.

Burial 1 was located 0.7m to the north of the pit. No discernible grave-cut was identified and the burial was severely damaged. The presence of pine timbers indicates that the individual was interred in a coffin. The bones of Burial 1 were those of a neonate aged 39.5 weeks at death and suggest a stillbirth. The arm bone of Burial 7 was identified mixed within the bone assemblage of Burial 1 and was that of a 43.8-week neonate. These remains indicate they relate to the use of the site as a cillín.

Burial 2 was located 1.1m to the south of the mass burial pit. The grave-cut was linear in plan with rounded terminals and a concave profile; it measured 2.6m east–west by 0.52m and survived to a maximum depth of 0.1m. The grave was excavated into compact stony boulder clay and its shallow nature is reflective of the high bedrock, making the excavation of any grave in this area extremely difficult. Only the upper torso, arms, spine and skull of the individual survived within the grave-cut. The bones, which were in a poor state of preservation, were identified as belonging to an adult male aged 45 years or over at time of death. The individual suffered significant spinal degeneration as a result of severe osteoarthritis and had also, at some point in his lifetime, suffered three rib fractures. The body was found in association with 27 nails and three medals. The nails were predominantly identified beneath the skeleton, with their position suggesting the individual was wrapped in a shroud that was secured at the back with these nails. The three medals identified with the body were all holy medals and leather residue suggests they were worn around the neck as a necklace. Two of the medals were ‘miraculous medals’ and one was dated to 1862. This would suggest that the adult male was an inmate of the workhouse but did not die as a result of the Great Famine.

Due to the presence of introduced topsoil and disturbance from previous road-widening schemes, the original ground surface was generally not exposed during the course of site development works. Given the presence of at least one mass burial pit and the latter use of the site as a cillín, it can only be assumed that numerous other burials are preserved beneath the route of newly developed cycle track and the surviving portions of the workhouse graveyard.

27 Merrion Square, Dublin 2