County: Kilkenny Site name: Gorteens
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 01E0959
Author: Órla Scully, 7, Bayview, Tramore, Co. Waterford.
Site type: Burnt mound, kiln
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 665007m, N 613467m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.269056, -7.047547
This work on the Waterford main drainage scheme was carried out as an extension to the 2001 monitoring licence, concentrating on the area of Springfield farm, and was project managed by Waterford City Council for the Waterford wastewater treatment plant, Co. Kilkenny.
Monitoring of the topsoil-stripping of this site by the river in South Kilkenny revealed two features of archaeological significance. One was the identification of a burnt mound and the other was a drying kiln, both in Gorteens townland.
The burnt mound lay outside of the area of monitoring; the works involved in laying the roadway just clipped the edge of the mound. The area outside the remit of the monitoring did indicate a mound of c. 18m north–south by 7m. The disturbed edge showed 0.3m of burnt stone under sod, overlying boulder clay. No structures or features associated with the mound were disturbed, nor were any finds retrieved from the area.
The kiln was outside the area to be excavated for tanks; only the topsoil was removed as a larger clearance for office building. The area was cleaned, drawn and recorded. The maximum width of the bowl was 3.7m; the flue was between 1.2m and 1.5m wide and extended for a distance of 4.4m from the bowl. It was up to 0.49m deep. The maximum extent of the entire feature was 3.7m by 6.6m. It was aligned north-west/south-east with the bowl towards the north-west. The fill consisted of silt with some burnt stone and occasional charcoal. An angled stone by the edge of the bowl where it was joined by the flue may have functioned as a draught control. Following recording of the feature it was covered with a protective membrane and topsoil. There are no plans to build on this area. The kiln lay to the south-east of the original farmhouse, Springfield House. This is clearly marked on the first-edition OS map. The house was occupied by the Waring family from about 1740 to 1860 (Walsh 2001). It is a double-bayed farmhouse with associated outhouses. It was purchased in the 1920s by the Barton family. It was sold to the IDA in 1975, remained unused and fell into disrepair. It is sadly ruinous with no plans to save this fine period residence.
Reference
J. Walsh, 2001 Slieverue: a history of its people and places.
