County: Kildare Site name: GRANGEBEG
Sites and Monuments Record No.: KD027–004 Licence number: 07E0842
Author: Emer Dennehy, Archaeological Consultant
Site type: Barrow - pond barrow
Period/Dating: Prehistoric (12700 BC-AD 400)
ITM: E 668036m, N 710527m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.140922, -6.983090
KD027–004, classified as a mound and interpreted as a barrow, situated in the townland of Grangebeg, was damaged as a result of land improvement activities, with initial interference taking place in March 2007 through the removal of scrub; the site was subsequently disturbed in April 2007 as a result of ploughing activities. An assessment of damage to the monument was conducted over a three-day period from 30 October to 1 November 2007. At this time a second area of archaeological potential was also investigated.
The assessment involved the cleaning of the site and the excavation of four sections to determine the nature and extent of the site and the level of site damage. The assessment identified that the site is a low-level subcircular saucer barrow with average external dimensions of 5.5m. The site comprises a central sunken area, 4m in diameter, identified by a deposit of rich organic material and enclosed by an external bank constructed from redeposited leached white clay. The east of the site was damaged to an extent of 3.5m north–south by 1.5m. Damage appears primarily to have been caused by ploughing activity and machinery tyres but may also have been aggravated by previous years of animal erosion. Oxidised clay and charcoal deposits on the surface of the mound appear to be related to modern episodes of rubbish burning at this location. No disturbance to the interior of the barrow is apparent; no cut features were noted.
Area 2 was located to the north-east of KD0027–004 and to the south-west of KD027–038. No archaeological material was identified.
The site is to be preserved in situ through the introduction of an earthen buffer zone.
6 Coolaghknock Green, The Plains, Kildare Town, Kildare
