2013:185 - Ballygoran, Moneycooly, Griffenrath, Oldtown, Corbally, Crippaun, Possekstown, Barberstown Lower, Barberstown, Ardrass Upper, Lodgepark, Castledillon Lower, Castledillon Upper, Clownings, Wheatfield Lower, Tipperstown, Baronrath, Keeloges, Boston, Bishopscourt Lower and Oughterard, Kildare

Monitoring and excavation were carried out between December 2012 and June 2013 as part of the Kildare Water Strategy (Phase 1A/B), Ballygoran to Castlewarden pipeline scheme, in County Kildare. The pipeline ran through 21 townlands and was initially subject to desktop assessment in 2006 by IAC Ltd. In 2011 testing was carried out at two locations along the route, which had been identified as possessing archaeological potential (Kyle, 2011; Licence Ref.: 06E1020ext.), within the townlands of Barberstown Lower, Castledillown Lower and Ardrass Upper. A single sub-rounded pit (C3) was identified within Test Trench 2 at Barberstown Lower. The pit measured 0.55m east–west x 0.52m and was 0.1m deep where sectioned. The fill comprised a soft, friable mid to dark grey/brown silty clay with moderate amounts of charcoal. A single piece of flint débitage was also recovered from C3. Nothing of archaeological significance was uncovered in the remainder of the test trenches at Barberstown Lower, Castledillown Lower and Ardrass Upper.

Monitoring of topsoil removal along the wayleave of the pipeline scheme, which measured c. 13km in length and had a working wayleave width of c. 30m, resulted in the identification two previously unidentified archaeological sites. These were excavated under licence 13E016. The site at Griffinrath 1 produced features likely to be associated with burnt mound-type activities, including a trough and three pits. These were focused on the centre-east area of the site and it is probable that further features and deposits continue beyond the eastern limit of the site. There was no evidence of a significant overlying burnt mound deposit, however the fields are presently used for tillage so it is probable that any overlying mound has been substantially levelled and ploughed out. It is also possible that any associated mound deposit may be located outside the limits of the site to the east.

While a medieval date was returned for a sample of ash charcoal from the upper fill of trough C7 at Griffinrath 1, it is though that this is likely to be intrusive and reflects later activity in the Griffinrath area.

The site at Griffinrath 2 produced features likely to be associated with burnt mound-type activities. These were focussed on the north-west quadrant of the site. The key features recorded were a large irregular-shaped pit, which may have been used for water storage, and an adjacent oval trough. The overlying burnt mound deposit was relatively shallow which is likely to be as a result continuous ploughing over a period of time. A sample of alder charcoal from the basal fill of trough (C20) returned an early Bronze Age date for this activity.

As well as monitoring and excavation, metal detection and inspection of all spoil removed from 50m on either side of the River Liffey was undertaken in the townlands of Castledillon Upper (south side of the Liffey) and Ardrass Upper (north side of the Liffey). Metal detection took place between 4 and 5 March 2013 using a Viking HCH 1511 (V5) metal detector. No responses were noted.

IAC Ltd, Unit G1, Network Enterprise Park, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow