2007:861 - KILDARE RAIL ROUTE PROJECT, Section 3, Stacumny Cottage to Dangan, Kildare

Testing was carried out in advance of the construction phase of the Kildare route project railway line. The Kildare route, which will involve upgrading the Dublin to Cork railway track, has been divided into three subsections by Iarnród Éireann. The testing programme, carried out under licence 07E0298, dealt specifically with Sections 1 and 3 of the railway scheme. Section 1 is located in Co. Dublin and runs from Ballyfermot to Cappagh (see No. 428, Excavations 2007), while Section 3 is located in Co. Kildare and runs from Stacumny Cottage to Dangan. A total of fourteen compound areas and two car-parking areas were tested as part of this assessment. Eight compounds (1A–1H) and one carpark (Fonthill) were located along Section 1, while six compounds (3A–3F) and one carpark (Hazelhatch) were located along Section 3. The testing results for Section 3 of the railway scheme are detailed below. 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.

Compounds 3A and 3B, Stacumny, 29975 23248
The proposed site for Compounds 3A and 3B is located along the southern edge of a well-drained arable field. A large, elaborately designed limekiln separates the compounds into two distinct areas. The compounds are bounded by agricultural land to the west and north, a roadway to the east and the railway to the south. Compound 3A measures c. 110m east–west by 40m. A 90m-long centre-line and eight perpendicular offsets were excavated here. The only features identified were frequent north–south-orientated furrows of modern date.

Compound 3B measures c. 60m east–west by 25m. A 50m-long centre-line and five perpendicular offsets were excavated here. Again the only features identified were frequent north–south-orientated furrows of modern date.

Compound 3C, Elmhall, 29892 23176
The proposed site for Compound 3C is located in an irregular-shaped field of pasture. The field is bounded by the railway line to the south, by modern housing to the north and west and by a golf-course to the east. The site measures c. 140m east–west by a maximum of 130m. A 100m-long centre-line and nine offsets were excavated at this location. The south-east corner of the site was unavailable for testing due to the presence of an electricity pylon. The testing 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 test-trenches opened.

Hazelhatch carpark (incorporating Compounds 3D and 3E), Loughlinstown and Straleek, 29892 23176
The proposed site for Hazelhatch carpark consists of two fields separated by a slow-moving stream (the townland boundary between Loughlinstown and Straleek). The larger northern field is under pasture and well drained. In contrast, the smaller southern field is wet and marshy. The site is bounded on the south by the railway line, on the west by modern houses and on the east and north by agricultural land. As part of the testing programme the proposed carpark area, Compound 3D and all of the surrounding haul roads were subjected to testing. Compound 3E, which is also located at this site, was not tested as it is currently being used as a carpark for the existing railway station. Two centre-lines and 21 perpendicular offsets were excavated in the proposed carpark area, while one centre-line and four offsets were excavated at Compound 3D. The testing revealed that the site was relatively undisturbed with topsoil overlying natural boulder clay.

One site of archaeological significance was identified immediately to the north of the proposed carpark area along the route of an access road. This site, which may be a mill-race, was located at the confluence of two streams. At the point where the two streams meet, their sides have been lined with well-cut limestone blocks. The stone revetments extend for c. 6m along the sides of the east–west stream and for roughly 4m along the sides of the north–south stream. The revetment along the east–west-orientated stream appears to contain a return at its western end, which may originally have been designed to hinder the flow of water in this direction. The presence of this feature suggests that the revetments were built to divert water in the direction of the Shinkeen Stream, which is a small tributary of the River Liffey, located to the north-west of the site.

Compound 3F, Dangan, 29809 23085
The proposed site for Compound 3F consists of an area of wet, marshy ground that was formerly covered in dense scrub. The site is bounded by the railway line to the south, by agricultural land to the west, by woodland to the north and by swampy ground to the east. A large mound of stone filling, probably associated with previous railway works, occupies the northern edge of the site. This mound of stone rose to in excess of 6m in height and partially restricted testing along the northern side of the site. The site measures c. 85m east–west by 45m. A 70m-long centre-line and six perpendicular offsets were excavated at this location. These revealed that the site was covered in a thin layer of black peaty soil. No features or deposits of archaeological interest were noted in any of the test-trenches opened.

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