2016:068 - Kilnagornan, Kildare

Testing was undertaken at the site of a proposed single residential development at Kilnagornan, c. 3km to the west of Kildare Town. The site forms part of a large pasture field, part of which previously incorporated the remains of two quarry pits which have since been reinstated. The site previously incorporated the eastern extent of a small former quarry pit. The files of the Archaeological Survey of Ireland state that in 1972, an extended inhumation in a shallow grave immediately under the top-sod was exposed in the north-east face of this disused quarry pit (KD022-024). The skeleton appeared to be aligned north-south. A further inspection of the site in 1984 indicated that immediately north-west of the site of the burial, a possible shallow ditch was visible in the quarry face. The development site is incorporated in the ‘Area of Notification’ associated with the monument. This quarry pit, together with a number of others in the overall landholding, was subsequently reinstated, and there are now no surface traces of the feature.

A total of sixteen trenches were excavated by machine, following which the side and bases were visually inspected. In addition, the spoil from the trenches was raked through in an attempt to retrieve any artifactual material that might be contained within such material. Given that the burial was aligned north-south, as was the possible ditch feature, all test trenches were orientated east-west in order that any similar associated features that might have existed could be bisected and minimally disturbed. No subsurface features of archaeological interest or potential were uncovered, and no artefacts of archaeological interest were recovered during testing.

7 Cnoc na Greine Square, Kilcullen, Co. Kildare