2026:001 - NAAS EAST: Dalemount, Dublin Road, Kildare

Archaeological monitoring and subsequent partial archaeological excavation was undertaken as part of a single house development in Dalemount, Dublin Road, Naas East, Co. Kildare.

The discovery in 1972 of a burial pit (KD019-063) in the property adjacent to the development highlighted the possibility of further burials being discovered in the vicinity. A programme of test trenching carried out in 2020 also indicated the presence of human remains (Byrne 2021).

Archaeological monitoring of removal of scrub at the site showed that previous works had removed topsoil from across the development area and two large areas had been excavated by machine. Fragmentary disarticulated human skeletal remains were visible across the ground surface. Seven areas of more concentrated human remains representing inhumation burials were identified. The following  summarises preliminary results.

Partial archaeological excavation was carried out between June and November 2025. This revealed a burial ground in the northern section of the development site. Burials likely took place here for a prolonged period, as indicated by the intercutting nature of many of the burials. Preliminary analysis indicates that there are 219 sets of articulated remains representing older children, adolescents and adults. A further 100 examples of disarticulated remains were recovered during excavation. Further analysis will confirm the number of individuals represented.

Three linear features were also excavated which predated the burial ground, further analysis may provide dating evidence for these features.

Partial preservation in-situ of skeletal human remains was achieved in two portions of the site, to the north-east and north-west of the site.

Given the discovery of further in situ burials during the archaeological monitoring and excavation programme at the site it can now be confirmed that the local name ‘Gallows Glen’ does refer to a place of execution and burial. Such sites were commonly situated on high ground, close to the main access routes to a town and can be identified across the country, as is the case with this site Archaeological investigation and accidental discovery have uncovered intact burials at several of these sites, such as at Barrack Street, Cork, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford and Eyre Square, Galway. The radiocarbon dating evidence from the original 1972 burials indicated that the place of execution and burial was in use between the 15th and 18th centuries; it can be assumed that these newly discovered will be of similar date.

References
Cahill, M and Sikora M 2011 Breaking Ground, Finding Graves – Reports on the Excavation of Burials by the National Museum of Ireland, 1927–2006, 2 vols. Dublin. Wordwell Ltd.
Byrne, M 2021 ‘Dalemount’, Dublin Road, Naas, Co. Kildare Archaeological Testing Report – Part A
(Final) Excavation Licence No: 20E0221. Unpublished Report for Client.

Online sources:
www.excavations.ie
2003:2208 – Eyre Square, Galway
2019:678 – Gallows Hill, Dungarvan, Waterford
2021:345 – 48, 50 and 52 Barrack Street, Cork,