2020:425 - Killashee, Naas, Kildare

Monitoring of topsoil stripping and excavation was carried out at Killashee, Naas, Co. Kildare. The site is located in the north part of Killashee townland, with the site’s north boundary representing the townland boundary between Killashee and Broadfield townlands.
Monitoring of topsoil stripping was carried out on an intermittent basis between late July and late October 2020. In general, sand, sod and topsoil measured 0.3-0.45m in depth and lay above the natural gravel sandy clay. The only features exposed were located in the south part of the western field, on the crest of a small rise (ITM 688991, 716855). The features included a drainage system and associated pit and deposits. Ditches excavated in Killashee can be classed as field ditches and drains; large main ones were roughly north-west/south-east aligned. One represented a field boundary, depicted on the 1836 mapping in the same alignment in the neighbouring field; the remaining ditches were not depicted. These appear to be parallel and relatively close to each other (every 3m), sloping north-west towards still existing wet ditches representing current site boundaries and flanking the west and north extent of the site. The main ditches represent the deepest linear features on the site, ranging from 1.55-3.5m in width and 0.55-1.15m in depth. The remaining ditches fed into these and provided more localised drainage. The associated ditches measured between 0.33-1.1m in width and 0.14-0.45m in depth, with a majority under 0.25m in depth. One of these ditches was represented by a stone-lined drain. It appears that at some point a ditch was added to connect it with one of the main ditches to the north-west, likely aiding with water volume. These can be classed as traditional drains, often in use in the early decades of the 1800s.
While the features excavated produced finds with a date range between the 13th and 19th century, the majority of finds dated to the 17th-18th century. Though the ditches could be post-medieval in date, the main usage phase of the ditches and drains falls between the early 18th-19th century based on the material evidence. It seems likely that the ditches were associated with agricultural activity.
Monitoring of topsoil stripping was carried out, and all features identified were excavated. The work is now complete.

Archaeological Consultancy Services Unit, Unit 21, Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co Louth