County: Kildare Site name: JOHNSTOWN/KILMURRY/THOMASTOWN/KILSHANCHOE/ BALLYNAMULLAGH/CLONKEERAN/COLLINSTOWN/ARDKILL/ CARBURY/BALLYHAGAN/CLONKEEN/COOLAVACOOSE/ KISHAWANNY UPPER
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 11E0246
Author: Fintan Walsh
Site type: Testing
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 665447m, N 733337m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.346203, -7.017109
A programme of archaeological testing (Stages (i) and (ii)) of the R402 Enfield to Edenderry Road Improvement Scheme was undertaken on behalf of Kildare County Council as part of a Part viii planning condition.
The testing (Area 1, dryland, 19,678 linear metres; Area 2, wetland, 1,470m²) was undertaken within twelve townland test areas comprising 62 individual fields. A total of six sites (comprising sixteen individual archaeological areas) were discovered during the course of the testing (Ardkill 1; Carbury 1–5; Ballyhagan 1–2; Clonkeen 1–4; Coolavacoose 1; and Kishawanny Upper 1–3). Ardkill 1 was identified as a possible medieval structure with enclosure. Carbury 1–5 comprised a burnt mound, a metal-working area, a charcoal-production kiln, a brick kiln and a portion of a millpond. Ballyhagan 1–2 comprised a charcoal-production kiln and an isolated pit. Clonkeen 1–4 comprised seven charcoal-production kilns and a possible structure defined by a curvilinear line of post-holes and pits. Coolavacoose 1 comprised a possible charcoal-production kiln and an isolated pit with burnt bone. Finally Kishawanny Upper 1–3 comprised two burnt mounds and two charcoal-production kilns.
The resolution of these sites was undertaken in 2011 by Tim Coughlan (above, Nos 344, 345, 350, 354, 355, and below, No. 367; 11E404–11E409).
Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd, 120b Greenpark Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow
