2007:436 - KILDARE RAIL ROUTE PROJECT, Section 2, Cappagh to Stacumny Cottage, Dublin

Testing was carried out in advance of the construction phase of the Kildare route project railway line. The project will involve upgrading the Dublin to Cork railway track and has been divided by Iarnród Éireann into three subsections. The testing programme carried out under this licence dealt specifically with Section 2 of the railway scheme. Section 2 is located mainly in County Dublin and runs from Cappagh to Stacumny Cottage (which is in County Kildare). The location of four compound areas (Compounds 2A, 2B, 2M and 2I) were tested as part of this assessment. Two additional compound areas (Compounds 2K and 2L) were unavailable for testing due to site access issues. Where possible, the trenching layout consisted of a centre-line with alternating 90-degree offsets located at 15m intervals. The trenches measured 1.8–2m in width and were excavated to the surface of archaeological deposits or the underlying substrata, whichever was encountered first.

Compound 2A, Cappagh, 30590 23266
The proposed site for Compound 2A is located in the south-east corner of large undulating field of pasture. The site is bounded by the railway line to the south and by agricultural land to the north, east and west. The site for Compound 2A measures c. 100m east–west by 40m. The western part of the compound was severely flooded, which restricted the testing programme. A 70m-long centre-line and four perpendicular offsets were excavated here. An additional test-trench, orientated north–south, was also excavated along the very eastern side of the compound. Problems with water egress were encountered in many of the trenches opened. The trenching revealed that the site was relatively undisturbed, with topsoil overlying natural boulder clay. The only features identified were a series of regular east–west furrows and a large ditch orientated south-west/north-east. The ditch measured c. 1.4m in width and was filled by greyish-brown silty clay that contained glass, animal bone and white-glazed ceramics. This cut corresponds to a field boundary shown on the first-edition OS map (1841).

Compound 2B, Clonburris Little, 30530 23266
The proposed site for Compound 2B consists of a small triangular area of scrubland. The site is bounded by the railway line to the south and agricultural land to the east, north and west. The eastern and western boundaries of the compound are defined by low overgrown banks, which also represent townland boundaries. The eastern boundary separates the townlands of Clonburris Little and Cappagh, while the western boundary separates the townlands of Clonburris Little and Kishoge. The compound area measures a maximum of 45m east–west by 25m. Two intercutting trenches forming a cruciform plan were excavated here. These revealed that the site was relatively undisturbed, with topsoil overlying natural boulder clay. The only features identified were regularly spaced agricultural furrows that were orientated north-west/south-east.

Compound 2M, Kishoge, 30450 23270
The proposed site for Compound 2M consists of an area of waste ground bounded by the railway line to the south, new roads to the north and east and more waste ground to the west. Prior to testing it was noted that very little vegetation cover existed at the site, which suggested that the ground had recently been disturbed. The compound area measures c. 300m east–west by 35m. A large stockpile of clay, in excess of 4m in height, restricted access to the very eastern end of the compound. A 200m-long centre-line and nine perpendicular offsets were excavated here. Testing revealed that the site was severely disturbed, with deep deposits of modern backfill covering all of the area investigated. The depth of these deposits increased from east (1m) to west (1.8m). A number of stone-filled field drains were the only features identified during the testing programme. These were orientated north–south and appeared to be modern in date.

Compound 2I, Stacumny Cottage, 30006 23246
The proposed site for Compound 2I consists of an area of rough pasture. It is bounded on the south by the railway line, on the north by a roadway and by agricultural land to the east and west. The compound area measures c. 130m east–west by 45m. Testing was slightly restricted in the north-western part of the site due to overhead cables. A centre-line and eight offsets were excavated here. These revealed that the site was relatively undisturbed, with topsoil overlying natural boulder clay. No features or deposits of archaeological interest were noted in any of the trenches opened.

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