2018:894 - Athy Distributor Road, Athy, Kildare

Archaeological excavations were carried out at Chanterlands and Gallowshill, Athy, Co. Kildare in advance of a proposed distributor road development. There are no recorded monuments within the vicinity of the development area, however, within 1km of the site 18th/19th-century inhumations (RMP KD035-04001 & 045002 burial) are recorded.

The excavations took place between 6 and 12 November 2018. The excavations followed on from a programme of testing undertaken in February 2018 by Stephen Hickey of Courtney Deery (18E0589). 29 test trenches and 29 slot trenches were excavated. The testing was informed by the results of geophysical survey (18R0031) and archaeological monitoring (18E0135).

Following testing two areas were excavated (Archaeological Area 1 and Archaeological Area 2). In Chanterlands Townland, the second area (AA1), excavation revealed two furrows, linked to modern agriculture and therefore non-archaeological.

In Gallowshill Townland (AA 2), archaeological excavation revealed Early Bronze Age activity, comprising a large central pit surrounded by several smaller pits, post- and stake-holes (Plate). The smaller features possibly formed a structure or windbreak around the pit, and might have formed part of a larger settlement site extending beyond the limit of excavation. Modern furrows were also noted in this area. The sites yielded no artefacts, but radiocarbon dating results point to a date in the Early Bronze Age for the central pit in AA2. No other cultural or artefactual evidence was recovered from this excavation. However, this is likely to represent peripheral occupation activity possibly related to an unidentified settlement outside of the footprint of the proposed development area.

Radiocarbon dating results point to a date in the Early Bronze Age for the central pit in AA2.

All post-excavation works are now completed.

c/o IAC Ltd, Unit G1 Network Enterprise Park, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow