2011:371 - SROWLAND, Kildare

Monitoring is currently being carried out during the construction of a water treatment plant in Srowland on behalf of Kildare County Council. Geophysical survey (J.M. Leigh Surveys, 06R0172) and test excavation (by Yvonne Whitty with Faith Bailey, IAC Ltd, Excavations 2007, no. 860, 07E0223) were carried out on site prior to the commencement of construction. No definitive archaeological features were identified in these investigations, which were carried out as part of the construction impact assessment during the planning process.

The site is approximately 2km to the north-west of Athy on the curving banks of the River Barrow. The new water treatment plant is being constructed on low arable fields that are liable to seasonal flooding. No known archaeological sites are located within the site, but enclosures, church sites and ‘castle’ sites are located adjacent to the site and within its immediate environs. The landscape is flat and is dominated by the river, which forms the site’s south-western boundary. The monitoring was principally carried out in June and July of 2011. The final site construction works will involve further monitoring in 2012; further small pockets of the site also require monitoring in 2012.

Four new small clusters of archaeological activity were uncovered during topsoil-stripping. These survive c. 100m apart and were principally identified through the presence of charcoal, burnt stone and fire-reddened clay. The function of the pits is unclear, althouhj Site 1 appears to have been a corn-drying kiln and Site 3 is likely to be a Bronze Age fulacht fiadh. The examination of the soil for macro-fossil plant remains, identification of charcoal and dating is currently in progress and will provide further information on the date and function of the ephemeral sites.

Site 1 consisted of a figure-of-eight-shaped corn-drying kiln and associated pit. The kiln measures 2.8m long and 0.8m wide. Only the base of the feature survived, cut 0.18m deep into the boulder clay. The kiln possessed two stony insertions that formed a flue dividing the feature into a drying chamber and fire/stoking pit.

Site 2 consisted of an isolated rectangular kiln measuring 1.68m x 1.28m with a small pit located 4m to the south-west. The kiln feature survived up to 0.27m deep. The boulder clay defining the north-eastern edge of the kiln was heavily fire-reddened and charcoal-flecked.

Site 3 consisted of a fulacht fiadh mound at the far south-eastern boundary of the site, c. 20m from the riverbank. The north-western edge of the mound was only partially uncovered during topsoil-stripping, revealing a 5m length at the corner of the site. The area was backfilled and cordoned off and no further work will be carried out in that location.

Site 4 consists of two pits, one subcircular (1.4m in diameter) and one subrectangular (1.25m in diameter). The pits were filled with burnt clay and charcoal.

Edmond O’Donovan & Associates, 77 Fairyhill, Bray, Co. Wicklow