2017:634 - Kinduff, Monaghan

Testing, in November 2017, consisted of four trenches, three across the footprint of the proposed house and the fourth along the line of the percolation pipeline. Nothing of archaeological interest which could be associated with the nearby rath site (MO018:029) was uncovered. Undisturbed glacial till deposits were uncovered at relatively shallow depths below present ground level, between 0.25-0.3m, suggests that the area had been quite badly scarped in the past. The 1835 OS map records two houses on the site, with the OS map of three quarters of a century later showing a third house or shed added to the complex. It is entirely probable that the construction of these buildings disturbed the ground and probably removed any evidence of earlier occupation from the immediate area. The testing did however confirm the cartographic evidence, picking up traces of a large rectangular building in Trenches 1 and 2, with the remains of a second building, noted at the east end of Trench 1. The third building, which is still extant, was the subject of a separate survey the results of which revealed that it is in a poor structural state. Part of the proposal involves the demolition of this building. The survey concluded that detailed recording was a sufficient way of preservation.
In summary, testing revealed the foundation remains of two buildings, both of which are probably 19th century in date. Nothing else of archaeological significance was noted in the testing. The ridge height of the new build will be limited to the same height as that of the existing old building, but as the new build will be located further to the south and away from the rath, the visual impacts will not be increased.

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