County: Kildare Site name: Jigginstown
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 16E0674
Author: Aidan O'Connell
Site type: Ringfort
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 687860m, N 718650m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.211001, -6.684647
An assessment was carried out at the site of a proposed development at lands in Jigginstown, Naas, Co. Kildare. The site covers an approximate area of 6.4ha and is surrounded by residential, agricultural and commercial areas to the west of Naas in an area of moderate-high archaeological potential as suggested by the location of numerous recorded archaeological monuments.
A geophysical survey of the site was carried out followed by targeted test trenching. Geophysical survey indicated the presence of a circular ditched enclosure, 40m in dimeter and located at the north of the site. A total of 11 trenches were mechanically excavated across the site. The presence of the circular enclosure was confirmed. It is provisionally interpreted as a possible early medieval ringfort. Numerous additional ditches associated with 19th-century land divisions and agricultural practices were also recorded. Full excavation of the ringfort site in advance of development was recommended.
Archer Heritage Planning, 8 Beat Centre, Stephenstown, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin.
