2018:244 - Maltings, Canal Harbour/St Mary's Lane, Monasterevin, Kildare

Testing was carried out to inform an Archaeological Impact Assessment for the proposed redevelopment of a maltings complex, Canal Harbour road, Monasterevin, Co. Kildare, for residential use. Testing was carried out in accordance with Kildare County Council planning requirements (Planning Ref. 17/1377).

The c. 1.16ha site is located toward the northern edge of the town, approximately 220m east of the River Barrow. The site is bounded to the west by the Grand Canal and Canal Harbour road and to the north by the former Great Southern & Western Railway line. The site is also accessible off St Mary's Lane from the south.

The site was greenfield prior to its development for industrial use during the 19th century. Buildings on the site comprise a Malt House fronting Canal Harbour road, a Manager's House, a Stable building, all of which are protected structures, and a bungalow, which is derelict. Built in the mid-nineteenth century, the maltings complex was constructed on the site of a military barracks and later police barracks.

A total of 19 test trenches measuring 2m in width, from 0.3-1m in depth and ranging from 10-30m in length were monitored. Evidence of modern garden soils, dumping, demolition rubble, stone drains and buried pavement was revealed, in addition to probable kiln waste deposits (Trenches 16 and 17). A deposit of rubble containing kiln floor tiles was identified in Trench 13.

No features or material of archaeological significance were identified outside the Malt House itself. The remains of a mortared stone structure was identified in Trench 19, excavated in an unroofed part of the Malt House. This will need further investigation if future development works are proposed in this area.

Unit 39a Hebron Business Park, Hebron Road, Kilkenny