2020:303 - Kilcullenbridge, Kildare

The test excavation of a site in advance of its development at Kilcullenbridge townland on the south-eastern outskirts of Kilcullen in County Kildare, was carried out between 14 and 17 December 2020. The project concerned Phase 2 of a housing development with Phase 1 having taken place during the 2000s. The pre-development testing was a condition of the planning permission granted by Kildare County Council and subsequently by An Bord Pleanala.
The proposed development site was located across two fields of pasture, bounded to the south by the River Liffey. No features of archaeological significance were visible within or in the immediate vicinity of the site.
The testing consisted of the excavation of fifteen trenches, located to attempt to best cover the area of the proposed development, while avoiding the line of a sewer and a landscaped area along the western side of the site, alongside Phase 1 of the development. The trenches measured 70m, 70.2m, 60m, 71.3m, 70.4m, 70.5m, 70m, 20.3m, 40.7m, 90.3m, 51m, 60m, 59.6m, 29.7m and 80m long respectively; 1.6-2.5m wide and 0.25-1.7m deep.
The pre-development testing revealed undisturbed natural stratigraphy in seven of the trenches, in the form of topsoil above natural subsoils. Modern fill, the majority of which was associated with the adjacent Phase 1 of the development, was uncovered in the remaining eight trenches. A modern stoned road was also uncovered.
Modern pottery sherds, one brownware base sherd of 18th/19th-century date, an earthenware body sherd of possible 18th-century date, one uninscribed clay pipe stem, red brick fragments, two animal bone fragments and a golf ball were found in the topsoil. Nothing of archaeological significance was in evidence.

4 Lecka Grove, Castlebar Road, Ballinrobe, County Mayo