Excavation description

Two phases of investigative excavations were undertaken in the farmyard with the aim of informing the restoration works. In addition, monitoring of works associated with the restoration of historic pathways on the estate continued on from 2012.

Farmyard

Phase 1 Excavations

The farmyard lies to the south-west of the house. Phase 1 investigations were carried out in an area 15m east-west by 10m in the north-eastern farmyard. In addition an area 2.4m east-west by 1.4m to the north of the Steaming House and east of the standing western boundary wall of the farmyard, an area c. 6.5m east-west by 4.5m to the north of the culvert, and the northern room of the East shed on the eastern side of the farmyard were investigated. Excavations revealed a complex of drainage features and associated structures that were probably part of animal drinking and/or washing areas. Four phases of construction and alteration were evident and artefactual and cartographic evidence indicates that most of the features are 19^th century in date. Sometime in the 20^th century the area was covered and the ground level was raised.

 

Evidence for the first phase of activity was characterised by the remains of a masonry wall [211] at the eastern boundary of the western farmyard. This wall (identified as Wall A in previous investigations 07E0200 ext.) is illustrated on the 1837 OS map and probably dates to the late 18^th/early 19^th century. It was removed sometime prior to the publication of the 1911 OS map. The wall was 0.5m wide and was faced on its western side, where it formed an arch over the eastern extent of the culvert that ran east-west across the area of investigation. The arched culvert [222] measured 0.6m wide, 0.8m high and extended for at least 11m, before running under an arch in the wall [239] along the eastern boundary of the farmyard. The western extent of the watercourse that flowed through the area at this time was within a 0.6m-wide channel defined by masonry walls [200] and [223] and covered by a limestone flagstone [227]. These culvert walls were 6.3m long, 0.55m wide and four courses survived. The features exposed in between the eastern and western channels relate to later activity and during Phase 1 this area was probably characterised by a wider, less defined water channel. This sunken area had cobbled [207] and metalled [214] surfaces adjacent to the southern side of the channel.

 

Phase 2 was characterised by a masonry wall [202] that extended 1.35m southwards from the channel [225] and mortared masonry remains on the opposite side of the channel were probably part of the same structure, possibly another arch spanning the water channel [225]. They correspond with Wall B identified on the northern side of the culvert during earlier investigations (07E0200 ext.) and could relate to the large rectilinear drinking trough, shown on the mid-19^th-century estate survey. A sloping cobbled surface [201] located to the south of the masonry remains probably led from the piggery to the water channel. Masonry walls [217] and [219] on the eastern end of the site are also from this phase of construction but do not correspond to any of the structures shown in this area on the historic maps.

 

The third phase of construction was represented by a 0.6m-wide channel defined on either side by masonry walls [208] and [209]. The location and alignment of this channel corresponds to that of the rivulet illustrated on the mid-19^th-century survey. Masonry steps [206] were constructed over a drain [220] leading from the piggery. These steps provided access to the southern side of the channel from what would then have been a higher ground level. No such structure is illustrated at this location on the historic maps but structural remains [210] that may have been associated with steps [206] were noted along the northern wall [209] of the channel [225]. The diverted route of the channel [225] to the east of walls [200] and [223] was defined by masonry walls [203], [205], and [209]. The south-western wall [203] abutted the Phase 2 remains [202] and the eastern side of the Phase 1 wall [200] and clearly post-dated both of those structures. There was a dividing wall [205] within the western culvert channel. Further east the sides of the channel [225] were defined by walls [208] and [209].

 

The fourth phase was represented by the insertion of drainage pipes [215] and [216] that fed into the channel from the south. A small area of stone in-fill at the western end of the site has also been attributed to this phase of activity.

 

Several features were uncovered in the area to the east of the western boundary wall [237] and north of the Steam House. A masonry wall [230] abutting and therefore post-dating wall [237] was probably the northern wall of the small annex first shown to the north of the Steam House on the 1911 OS map. A cobbled surface [228] to the south of the wall was probably the floor of that annex structure while the cobbles further north [231] were part of the farmyard surface and they covered the flagstone cap [227] of the culvert.

 

Hand excavation was carried out in order to expose the original floor in the northern room of the shed at the western edge of the farmyard. In the centre of the room was a sunken area, measuring 1.35m wide. The northern extent of this sunken area was defined by a brick wall [234] and the southern extent by a masonry wall [235]. Both of these walls abutted the eastern wall of the shed [239], which was also the eastern boundary wall of the farmyard. A drain [238] of brick and stone construction ran along the western face of this wall. A compact floor surface of earth and mortar construction [232] was revealed at the southern end of the room. The central sunken area probably managed water and was broadly contemporary with a drainage feature covered by flagstones [236] at the north-western end of the room. The first edition OS map shows a small structure, which may relate to the sunken area and suggests an early 19^th-century date for these features. A larger structure is shown at this location on the later maps. After it went out of use the sunken area was backfilled with general building debris and disused structural fabric (233). The remains of a floor surface [232] uncovered in the southern part of the room probably date to the early 20^th century.

 

Finds recovered during excavation include a penny dating from 1805/6, sherds of pottery and glass that range in date from the 18^th to early 20^th century.

 

Phase 2 Excavations

Phase 2 investigations undertaken from Oct 2013 to Jan 2014 with a crew provided by ADS Ltd, working under licence 11E0273 ext. It entailed the monitoring of all ground works associated with the excavation of service trenches, handrail trenches and wall trenches, excavated by mechanical digger, fitted with a toothless bucket, operating under constant supervision. The trenches measured 0.6-1.1m in width and varied in depth from 0.38-1.25m. Where necessary, the foundation walls of the upstanding buildings were breached and the associated receiving pits for ducting were hand excavated within the buildings. In addition, the entire farmyard 37m north-east/south-west by 26m and an area to the immediate west of this, 30m north-east/south-west by 13.5m was reduced by up to 0.2m. An area 5m north-east/south-west by 18m to the west of this had a series of service trenches inserted.

 

An area 10m by 8m, to the south of a culvert [104], was removed by machine, following the discovery of asbestos here. Six trial pits were excavated to find the extent of contaminated ground after a diesel spill was identified during the course of works. Outside of the lower paddock area, in the upper yard, a north-south orientated wall [088] was recorded prior to repointing.

 

To the east of the eastern boundary wall [068] at the outlet for culvert [104], the excavation of two footings was monitored in preparation for a footbridge. To the east of the south-east corner of the eastern boundary wall [068], a trench for a handrail and drainage was monitored.

 

In the south-east corner, three investigative trenches were excavated at the request of the client. A pit for a gate pier was hand-excavated to the south of the Steam house and additionally within the north room of the east shed of the farmyard, the removal of a loose rubble deposit was monitored.

 

Monitoring uncovered a number of previously unrecorded subsurface walls and cobbled surfaces, predating the extant farmyard buildings. The investigations also uncovered evidence of former structures recorded on the earlier maps but now no longer extant.

 

To the east of the site, a series of walls and associated cobbled surfaces were identified that had no prior cartographic record. In the centre of the site, a north-south wall [065], which had been identified in previous investigations (Mitchell and Saunderson 2010), was found to pre-date the Steam house.

To the south-west of the site, a large rectangular enclosure noted on both the Estate map (1850s – 1870s) and on the 1st edition OS map (1836), was likely represented by the remains of a red brick wall [044], the eastern extent of which was replaced by the time of the 1899 OS 25” map by the Bull house. Wall [045] located at the eastern extent of the culvert [104] is likely to have been the original eastern wall of the open yard that lay to the east of the Steam House.

 

An infilled cistern found in the northern room of the East shed is likely to have been a mid 19^th-century privy, or at least associated with it. The location of walls [123]/[128], just south of culvert [004] and leading to what had been the location of the privy, suggests that they may have been a drain associated with the privy, feeding off from the main culvert.

 

It is likely that a water channel which ran west-east through the site was culverted prior to Lady Louisa’s development, as the Steam house was built over wall [065], the northern extent of which formed the southern wall of the culvert [104]. The form and function of this water channel transformed over time from the cobbled surfaces that provided animals’ access, to its present enclosed form (after Mitchell and Saunderson (2010) and McQuade (2013)).

 

The extant buildings we see on site today, appear to date from the later 18^th century and are the result of Lady Lousia Connolly’s construction works in the 1770s and 80s (Griffin 2008). The walls uncovered during the monitoring works which were not recorded on the cartographic evidence, must therefore predate the earliest of these, the 1st Edition OS map of 1836. Castletown House was built between 1722 and 1729 and it is very likely that, if not beforehand, certainly following the completion of the house, attention would have turned to the establishing of The Home Farm which would provide for the estate and allow a degree of self sufficiency. It was this earlier phase of farmyard buildings that was uncovered during the monitoring works. These must then date c. 1730 and were certainly extant by 1760 as recorded on Rocque’s map. While Rocque’s map of 1760 shows that there were a number of structures on the site of the Home Farm, the earliest reference to the Home Farmyard complex at Castletown dates to 1768.

 

The original farmyard buildings were oriented north-east/south-west, along the axis of the extant buildings and had associated cobbled surfaces and drains. While the farmyard would have been perfectly functional, it is likely that some of the buildings had fallen into disrepair and, coupled with the agricultural revolution of the late 18^th century, was the setting for the construction of the Home Farm buildings still extant at Castletown today.

 

No remains of the 17^th-century Dongan House were found; indeed with the exception of one sherd of medieval pottery (11E0273:149:1), the ceramic evidence uncovered indicates occupation from the early 18^th century, making the walls and cobbles contemporary with the construction of Castletown House, forming part of its original farmyard buildings.

 

The features uncovered during this phase of works together with those uncovered during earlier works carried out by Arch-Tech and ADS Ltd have yielded valuable information, much of which is not documented on any known maps or surveys of the farmyard. These features provide evidence for the changing appearance and functions of the farmyard.

 

The farmyard has been extensively damaged in the recent past by modern sumps and general dumping, but in spite of this, the presence of surviving walls and surfaces across the site indicate that further investigation could be informative.

 

Pathways

Monitoring was undertaken to ensure that the reconstruction works did not impact on the remains of the pathways and where possible the new path was created on top of these remains. The pathways were uncovered between 0.15m and 0.23m below existing ground level and were between 1m and 2m wide. The remains of the paths were patchy and in some areas there was no visible surface. Where exposed the path consisted of gravel, mixed in places with mortar and brick fragments. In addition to the paths several features were exposed during the course of the works. These have been recorded, covered with terram and preserved in situ below the new path.

 

Excavation along the route of the Lower Liffey Walk exposed a masonry structure [300] 0.2m below existing ground level and south-west of the Water Treatment Plant. This north-west/south-east orientated wall was constructed of limestone blocks and occasional red brick, bonded with mortar. The wall was 1m wide but had been cut to the north by a modern pipe running from the pumping station. It may have been part of the terraced gardens that once occupied this area and are illustrated on Rocque’s map of 1760. A square pier [301] located 39m east of this wall measured 0.6m by 0.55m by 0.3m and a similar limestone pier [302] was located 6m further east.

 

An investigative trench excavated 9m to the east of the Rustic Bridge exposed a path of gravel with occasional larger stones. This path was exposed for 9m and indicates either that the pathway was up to 9m wide at that point or possibly that another path joined the main east-west route here.

There were no remains of the path for 13.3m to the east of the Liffey Rustic Bridge but from that point on the path was generally over 1.8m wide.

 

Cobbled (305) and metalled (304) surfaces were revealed c. 39m to the west of Mrs Siddon’s Temple and extending for a length of 39m. These surfaces were revealed beneath a layer of fine gravel 0.2m below existing ground level and pre-dated the gravel path laid down at this location. A series of larger stones defined the northern edge of the cobbled surface (305), which appeared to be laid on top of the metalled surface (304). These surfaces were of much more formal construction than that of the gravel path and were on a slightly different alignment, suggesting that they may have been part of an access way leading to/from the temple.

 

The route of the Upper Liffey Walk ran along the southern side of the ha-ha and the path was identified consistently as a gravel surface set within a matrix of sandy clay with occasional inclusions of mortar and red brick. The pathway was between 0.1m and 0.2m below the existing ground surface and extended beyond the edges of the 1.8m-wide trench.

A sloping path connecting the Upper and Lower Liffey Walks was located to the west of the temple and measured 65m in length. This was a gravel path with occasional larger stones and was revealed immediately below sod.

 

A circular path around the viewing platform and connecting to the main path to the south-west of the Upper Rustic Bridge was only partially intact. This path comprised angular stone with occasional red brick fragments.

 

Mechanical excavation of a series of 0.4m² pits for tree-planting was monitored and a couple revealed structural remains. A masonry structure [314] that may be the top of the ha-ha was exposed in a pit c. 6m to the north-west of the Lower Liffey Walk and west of the pumping station. The masonry was left in situ and an alternative location was chosen for the tree. Another of the pits located 7m to the north-east of the masonry structure [300] revealed masonry remains [315] 0.3m below present ground.

 

A series of drainage trenches were excavated at intervals along the pathways. One of these was inserted across the northern end of the path linking the Lower Liffey walk with the southern Ha-ha walk, just 10.85m south of the junction of these two paths. A masonry wall [311] was uncovered 0.45m below surface, 11.15m east of the stream. The wall was orientated north-east/south-west and was 0.3m wide. In another drainage trench across the Lower Liffey Walk a stone drain [309] was uncovered and there was a stone deposit (310) 0.4m below present ground at the southern, riverside of the trench. Sherds of black glazed earthenware and glazed red earthenware within this deposit indicate an 18^th/ early 19^th-century date. None of the other drainage trenches revealed anything of archaeological significance.

 

Finds from this phase of monitoring included a broken flint scraper found on the surface of the pathway to the west of the Liffey Rustic bridge. It was clearly residual in this context.

REFERENCES

Griffin, D.J. 2008. The farm buildings Castletown House, Co. Kildare. Report compiled for OPW by Irish Architectural Archive.

McQuade, M. 2013. Final report on investigative excavations in the farmyard, Castletown, Co. Kildare 11E0273 Ext. Unpublished report prepared by ADS Ltd.

Saunderson, M. and Mitchell, M. 2010. Archaeological Excavation Report Culvert in Farmyard & Decontamination Works, Castletown House, Celbridge, Co. Kildare. Licence No. 07E200ext. Unpublished report prepared by Arch-Tech.

Archaeological Development Services Ltd, Dublin and Archaeological Development Services Ltd, Belfast