2008:765 - Kylemore, Newtown, Castletroy, Limerick

Monitoring of groundworks associated with the construction of 77 houses at the Kylemore housing development uncovered a large spread of pits, post-holes, stake-holes and cremation burials. These were excavated at the end of 2007 (Excavations 2007, No. 1099). The pits and post-/stake-holes were particularly concentrated in one area, with outliers of human cremation burials/spreads and a hearth with associated stake-holes. The latter appear to represent the repeated use of a spit over the fire. Another possible hearth, with associated stake-holes, was located near the centre of the main concentration of pits and post-holes. Only one structure was identified within these features. This was a five-post structure, with four post-holes forming a square plan with a fifth post-hole centrally placed. The plan of the structure was very regular, with the corner post-holes located between 2.4m and 2.5m from each other. A number of the pits had stake-holes in the bases or immediately adjacent to them, suggesting the possible use of marker-posts. Indeed, no definite structure could be determined from the large post-pits that were excavated, which suggests that these may also have functioned as marker-posts. No finds were recovered from any of the features. Flecks of cremated bone were found in a number of pits. Just one pit contained a relatively significant amount of immediately identifiable human cremated bone. A number of features were found to truncate others. This, in conjunction with the repeated use of spits over fires, indicates that the site had a certain longevity. However, as yet it is not possible to determine what features are contemporary and whether the site was in use over one long phase or intermittently over a much longer period. Indeed the function/s of the site may have changed also over time. The cremated bone and charcoal samples are currently being processed, which should further elucidate the site.