2008 Old Kilkenny Review published
The 2008 Old Kilkenny Review includes a number of papers relating to archaeology in Kilkenny city and county. Graeme Laidlaw describes a burnt mound which was excavated prior to the construction work as part of the N9/N10 road scheme in Ballykeoghan townland in south County Kilkenny. The excavation identified two phases of burnt mound activity on the site, dating from the Early Bronze Age and Late Bronze Age respectively. The later part of the site bears a remarkable resemblance to a site of similar date excavated in the nearby townland of Rathpatrick. The Rathpatrick site was interpreted as a sweathouse and Graeme argues, quite convincingly, that the Ballykeoghan site had a similar function. You can read more about the Rathpatrick site at: http://www.waterfordcity.ie/n25bypass/cleansing.htm
The Old Kilkenny Review also carries a preliminary overview of the Rothe House garden excavation project by Cóilín Ó Drisceoil. Roisín McQuillan describes how the project evolved and was executed.
A fascinating paper by John McCarthy uses GIS to show how Coolhill towerhouse in south Co. Kilkenny functioned to defend a wide area as well as how it related to other castle in the vicinity.
Old Kilkenny Review is available for just €20 from ‘The Bookshop’, Kilkenny or from Rothe House, Parliament street.
KKAP applies to the Heritage Council INSTAR 2009 programme
A major application to complete the KKAP project has been lodged with the Heritage Council. A decision is due in January 2009.
Major archaeological excavation at the rear of Kilkenny courthouse enters its final week
The site is being directed by Maeve Saunderson of Arch-Tech Ltd. and excavations are taking place to facilitate the enlargement of the new courthouse. The waterlogged site has yielded the best preserved archaeological remains ever encountered in the city and thousands of finds have been unearthed. A number of human skeletons were also found, probably the remains of prisoners from the former gaol.
Rothe House Garden Archaeology publication
The next issue of the ‘Old Kilkenny Review’ , which is due out early December 2008, will carry a preliminary report on the archaeological work that took place between 2005-2007 at the award winning Rothe House garden in advance of its recreation. This was the first time the garden archaeology of an Irish townhouse had been investigated and important new evidence regarding the structural framework, arrangement and character of the Rothe plot over its 800 year history was recovered. A major publication is also currently being prepared on the excavations by Cóilín Ó Drisceoil, which it is hoped will be available in late 2009.
Local Kilkenny archaeologist discovers new 19th century view of the city on ebay!
This unusual view of Kilkenny dates from the late 19th century and was bought off ebay by local archaeologist Patrick Neary! It is a glass plate photo that seems to have been taken from St. Canice’s tower. It shows the Black Abbey surrounded by cabins and St. Mary’s cathedral. The striking thing about the photo is the amount of greenery in the city.
