2012:352 - Kilfane Demesne, Kilkenny

Archaeological excavation of a trackway was recommended as part of the planning schedule for a single house at Kilfane Demesne, Thomastown. The trackway was uncovered at 0.25m below the current ground level. The metalled surface consisted of a compressed layer of shattered stone, sand and clay. It measured between 0.1-0.2m in depth and extended 2.5m north to south. The layer extended across the width of the entrance roadway to the house approximately 3.5m east to west. The feature extended into the baulks on both sides. A similar feature was uncovered in an earlier test excavation undertaken by the late Emma Devine for Kilkenny Archaeology (Excavations 2009, No. 497, 09E456); this was to the east of this cutting and directly in line with it. The southern extent of this feature was delineated by a ditch. This was approximately 1.5m in width and had a maximum depth of 0.6m. The cut of the ditch was roughly U-shaped. The primary fill of the ditch was mid brown/orange clay with large inclusions of angular stones. This was backfilled as a singular event. No corresponding ditch was uncovered at the north. The ditch and the roadway were constructed simultaneously.
The trackway lies to the south-west of the deserted settlement, however, there is no cartographic evidence for it. The 25” OS map show this area as a strip of deciduous woodland. The track and associated ditch may be associated with Kilfane Demesne and have been used for agricultural activity. The soil overlaying the features contained 19th-century pottery; however this cannot be used for dating purposes.

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