2023:850 - Kilcarrig, Bagenalstown, Carlow

An Archaeological Impact Assessment (AIA) for a proposed solar farm development in the townland of Kilcarrig, Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow was carried out. The assessment comprised a geophysical survey (Licence No. 22R0238), archaeological testing (Licence No. 22E0874).

Geophysical survey identified nine anomalies within the proposed development site, which could contain potential archaeological features. Targeted archaeological testing was undertaken, where possible, to assess the veracity of the geophysical survey results, both in areas where potential features were identified and in apparently blank or empty areas. The testing revealed two areas of archaeological interest in Area 10, in test pits T8 and T9.  With the exception of the archaeological features in T8 and T9, all the other features encountered in the geophysical survey related to various natural geological features.

A series of sub-circular pits (C3, C7 and C8) occupied the northern extent of T8. The pits, which were similar in size and shape, measured c. 1.1m (east – west) by c. 2.5m, and contained a dark greyish-brown silty sand fill. There were inclusions of large lumps of iron processing waste (furnace bottom fragments, hammerscale and slag) visible on the surface of these features. The pits were truncated by a series of criss-crossing agricultural furrows (C4, C5, C6, C9, C10, C13 and C14). In addition, a sub-circular pit, C11, occupied the centre of T9. The pit, which was not excavated, measured 1.8m (northeast – southwest) by 0.9m (east – west). It was composed of a dark greyish-brown silty clay fill with frequent inclusions of iron-processing waste (furnace bottom fragments, hammerscale, and slag). Two rotary quern fragments were retrieved from the plough soil adjacent to C11.

It was recommended that the archaeological features identified during the geophysical survey and confirmed by the test excavation be preserved in-situ within the solar farm development. A 10m exclusion zone has been created for the iron processing sites in T8 and T9, extending outward from the identified site boundaries. The exclusion zones will be planted with a wildflower meadow, providing a visual demarcation of the exclusion zones and benefiting biodiversity. An additional 10m buffer zone will augment the exclusion zone. Within the buffer zone, pre-cast concrete blocks will be used as ground anchors for solar panels, in order to protect the archaeological features. Given the extent of the proposed development, it was also recommended that a suitably qualified archaeologist monitor all ground disturbance associated with the development.