County: Wicklow Site name: MANOR KILBRIDE AND RATHBRAN
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: C389 (Manor Kilbride) and C498 (Rathbran); E4382 and E4372
Author: Edmond O’Donovan
Site type: Church sites
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 686830m, N 692973m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.980463, -6.706999
Test excavations took place at Manor Kilbride cemetery in Kilbride townland and at Rathbran cemetery at Goldenfort on behalf of Wicklow County Council in advance of proposed extensions to the graveyards at the sites; both sites are recorded monuments. Wicklow County Council is considering extending both cemeteries in West Wicklow and required a geophysical survey followed by subsequent test excavation.
A linear boundary ditch was identified at both sites. The ditch at Manor Kilbride appears to be a medieval field boundary. The ditch at Rathbran is also a linear field boundary, although its date is uncertain. No early historic burials or human remains were encountered at either site. The features identified in the test excavation at both sites were associated with either land enclosure or agriculture (tillage).
Edmond O’Donovan & Associates, 77 Fairyhill, Bray, Co. Wicklow
