2024:883 - Ballyteigue North, Kildare

Archaeological monitoring of excavations associated with the Barrow Blueway development was carried out on various dates between October 2020 and April 2024. The development comprised the upgrade of the existing navigation towpath between Lowtown and Athy, Co. Kildare. The Environmental Impact Statement for the project recommended monitoring of excavations at locations where the route passes in the vicinity of recorded monuments. The maximum depth of excavation required to facilitate the new compacted stone and dust surface was 0.35m.

Archaeological monitoring was carried out on the south bank of the canal at Ballyteigue Bridge on 8 and 9 April 2024. The bridge deck is a modern concrete and steel structure but the original stone wall abutments survive, and the corners are scored from the tow ropes of the horse-drawn barges.  Ballyteigue Castle (KD013-020), a well-preserved late medieval tower-house, lies directly opposite on the north bank of the canal. The new path here was routed under the bridge as there was insufficient space to route it alongside the road. Excavations revealed 0.15m of dark brown sandy silt topsoil, over 0.15m of grey coarse sand, gravel and cobbles, over yellow/brown silty sand. No archaeology was found.