2025:661 - Coolcarrigan & Timahoe West, Kildare

Between October 2024 and October 2025 the first phase of development of an extension to the Drehid residual landfill was archaeologically monitored while peat probing and archaeological testing were undertaken in two areas of peat deposition associated with the development. The development is located to the immediate south of the existing landfill facility in a large tract of cutaway bog in County Kildare. An unclassified togher (KE008:038) is recorded within the area of the development infrastructure. The feature is described as measuring 72m in length, 1m in width and 0.08m in depth and consisted of several pieces of hazel brushwood (diam. 0.01-0.025 m) in a haphazard arrangement. No trace of this feature survives above ground. Archaeological testing and probing in September 2024 (license 24E0922) found no evidence of the feature.

The archaeological testing and probing were undertaken in two areas of peat deposition located to the east and north-east of the existing facility in the vicinity of recorded monuments KD008-029 and KD008-029001.  Five trenches measuring 30m x 1.8m were excavated in deposition Area 1 while two trenches measuring 40m x 1.8m were excavated in deposition Area 2. All of the trenches were excavated by a mechanical excavator using a toothless bucket. Both areas of deposition had a covering of grass and vegetation and a number of drainage channels ran through them.  The stratigraphy in Area 1 consisted of re-deposited peat 0.5-1m in depth overlying natural peat 0.5-0.8m deep over a natural grey silt. The stratigraphy was similar in Area 2 with re-deposited peat overlying natural peat and a grey silt. Nothing of archaeological significance was encountered in any of the trenches.

Phase 1 of the development involved the archaeological monitoring of all peat extraction in the north-west of the development (cells 16 & 17) . The levels of peat encountered varied significantly with peat levels of 0.5m or less in the east of the area monitored and levels of peat 4-4.5m deep encountered in the north and west of the area monitored. The extraction of peat from areas of deep bog was ocassionally hampered by poor weather and flooding. The general stratigraphy in areas of significant depth consisted of re-deposited peat 0.5-1m in depth overlying natural peat up to 4m in depth overlying a grey silt and or a grey silty gravel. Occasional tree roots and natural wood fragments were encountered in the area excavated however no features of archaeological significance were identified. It would appaer that prior to the growth of peat the area in the northwest of the extension was originally a deep hollow, pool or possibly a lake bed.