County: Kildare Site name: Carragh
Sites and Monuments Record No.: KD018-010 Licence number: 23E0064
Author: Grace Fegan; Shanarc Archaeology Ltd.
Site type: No archaeology found
Period/Dating: N/A
ITM: E 684849m, N 721751m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.239352, -6.728888
Archaeological test-excavations were carried out as part of an Archaeological Impact Assessment report, in relation to the proposed construction of a residential housing development on an approximately 2.05-hectare greenfield site in Carragh, Co. Kildare.
No monuments recorded in the Record of Monuments and Places (RMP) are located within the subject site, though one RMP site in the form of the recorded location of a wayside cross (KD018-010-) is located c.10m west of the site, and its zone of archaeological potential (Zone ID: R148128) extends into the western end of the proposed development area.
Prior to testing and as part of the Archaeological Impact Assessment the site was subjected to a geophysical survey under survey licence no. 22R0400. In addition to showing the remains of a historic field boundary and/or trackway as represented by the linear anomaly at the west of the site, the geophysical survey data also indicated a number of slightly more ambiguous linear features and trends as well as the presence of a number of potential pit features.
Archaeological testing comprised the excavation of eight test–trenches across the site; these were arranged in such a way as to target the various linear features and potential archaeological anomalies identified in the geophysical survey. Test-trenches measured 26-78m in length, 1.8m in width and 0.25-0.5m in depth. Excavated material generally comprised topsoil overlying mid- to light orange silty clay with moderate to frequent angular stones.
The trackway identified in the geophysical survey was identified in test-trenches 1 & 2 as a concentration of gravel directly below the topsoil. Evidence for the disposal of farm animals was noted in Trenches 6 and 8. This activity is likely to have taken place in the 20th century, prior to the introduction of Animal Identification and Movement regulations. Back-filled trial pits were noted in Trenches 5 and 6. Occasional ferrous objects were also noted in the test trenches.
No finds, features or deposits of archaeological significance were identified during testing.
Unit 39a, Hebron Business Park, Hebron Road, Kilkenny
