2021:613 - Rathnapish, Dublin Road, Carlow, Carlow

Archaeological monitoring of groundwork was undertaken at an I.D.A. commercial development in Rathnapish, Dublin Road, Carlow Town, from 10 to 22 June 2021. The development was spread across two green field sites currently under pasture with long grass, and separated by a field boundary running north to south. The westernmost field sloped gently from the west to the east, where the ground became flat before reaching the field boundary.

Topsoil stripping began in the easternmost field, at the south-east corner of the site, and continued back along to the west, following the direction of the access road. At the southern end of the eastern field the topsoil gave way to grey sandy silt gravel while elsewhere on site the natural was comprised of a brownish-yellow silty sandy. This difference combined with the existence of stone drains and earthenware pipes here may suggest previous disturbance at this end of the site. Several of these red earthenware pipes traversed the southern end of the easternmost field running north–south with additional pipes branching off these to the west and east. The fill around the pipes was comprised of slag or furnace waste, likely a by-product of industrial activity within the town utilised for the backfilling of pipes. Several stone-lined drains and agricultural furrows were noted elsewhere within the area stripped in the eastern field, evidence of previous land management and agricultural activity.
To the west of the site more agricultural furrows and ditches were noted.

Midway along the access road in the eastern field a single pit containing burnt mound material was uncovered. It was sub-rectangular in plan and measured 2.2m x 1.2m x 0.34m deep, with a sharp break of slope at top, gradual at the base, gentle sloping sides and a flat base. It contained two fills; the lower fill (0.27m deep) was comprised of compact, black sandy silt with frequent stones (average size 0.15m). The upper fill was comprised of lose, light brown silty sand (0.07m deep), possible topsoil fill accumulated from ploughing or agricultural activity. No finds were recovered from this feature. A root bowl existed immediately to the north of the pit with additional root activity noted to the north and northwest.

It is interpreted that the pit is not of archaeological significance.

As part of the works, the north to south running field boundary which ran between both fields was removed. Within the western half of the site, north to south running furrows and ditches were noted all filled with sterile loose brown silty sand.
Post-medieval pottery was also recovered across the site. Nothing further of archaeological significance was noted.

No other features of archaeological or non archaeological potential where evident in the surrounding area.

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