2023:824 - Garreenleen Solar, Bendinstown, Carlow

A total of 8 test trenches were excavated during the course of the archaeological pre-development testing in the townland of Bendinstown, Co. Carlow. Trenches A-D were concentrated in an area in the west half of the field. Removal of the sod and topsoil identified east-west running linear features. Excavation of these found that they appear to be furrows from recent agricultural activity. One east-west running linear feature in the south end of the trench contained a water pipe. In Trench C at 15m from the north end of the trench fill material was revealed below the topsoil. A section excavated through this feature revealed the fill to be the same as the topsoil and a cut measuring 6m in length at top and 2.7m at base. No artefacts of archaeological significance were recorded. The features revealed in Trench A-D appear to be associated with recent agricultural  activity and land improvements.

Trench E revealed no features and/or finds of archaeological significance.

In Trenches F-H, excavations revealed north-south running linear features (C.7). Context 7 appear to be furrows from earlier agricultural activity, possibly dating to the 19th century. One fragment of 19th-century pottery was recorded at the top of the furrows.

The historic OSi mapping indicates field boundaries on the 1st edition that have been cleared on subsequent editions. These linear features may be associated with activity dating to the 19th-century field system. Context 8 an east-west running linear feature (C.8) along the north baulk of the trench measured 20m in length, 0.35m in width and 0.35m in depth. No artefacts of archaeological significance were recorded, therefore it is difficult to date this feature. The north-south running cut feature (C.11/12) revealed in Trench G measured 3.1m in width and 0.78m in depth. It contained charcoal and burnt bone flecks. Examination of the historic maps indicates it is located on the contour line (300ft) marked on the last edition of the 6-inch OSi map. It is difficult to ascertain the nature and/or date of this feature.

The archaeological pre-development testing at Bendinstown revealed a number of features. The features recorded appear to be furrow activity associated with  agricultural activity from the 19th century to more recent times. In Trenches F and G, Context 8 and Context 10/11 may indicate potential archaeological features, however it is difficult to ascertain the nature and/or date of these features.