County: Kilkenny Site name: KILFANE
Sites and Monuments Record No.: KK028–013 Licence number: 09E0456
Author: Emma Devine, Kilkenny Archaeology, 1 The Spires, Dean Street, Kilkenny.
Site type: Trackway, pits, possible kiln
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 659587m, N 645115m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.554102, -7.121308
The proposed development area is positioned in the environs of a rich medieval and post-medieval archaeological landscape which includes the remains of a deserted medieval village (KK028–013005) and the parish Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary (KK028–013001; national monument). The site is situated immediately inside the boundary wall of Kilfane Demesne (C354), which includes Kilfane country house, the First Fruits church of Kilfane (C302), Kilfane gate lodge and Kilfane bridge (NIAH ref. 12402818).
Geophysical survey undertaken in October 2009 by Target Geophysics and test-excavations undertaken in December 2009 revealed the previously undocumented remains of a ditched metalled road/track traversing east–west across the northern half of the proposed development site. In addition, a series of pits and a possible kiln were identified. The exact age of the trackway is unknown, though the indications are it is of medieval date. An exclusion zone has been established around the archaeological area identified in the geophysical survey and by testing. The proposed development layout has been designed to avoid any physical impact on the known archaeological remains present within the proposed development area.
