Burial ground in Jamesgreen

Human burials probably representing the former graveyard of the extra-mural suburban church dedicated to St James (KK019-026065-) uncovered in archaeological monitoring (12E0158) by Patrick Neary at St James's Green (NIAH 12005004) (Neary 2012, https://excavations.ie/report/2012/Kilkenny/0023397/ and unpublished report). St James's Green was constructed in its present guise in the early 20th century and is situated 200m outside (W of) the Hightown town wall and on the reputed site of St James's chapel, which served the suburb of the same name and was demolished in the mid-14th century by the then bishop of Ossory, Richard Ledrede (Farrelly et al. 1993, 52). Monitoring of a service trench brought to light the skeletal remains of five individuals in the centre of the Green (Neary 2012). Intercutting of burials and disarticulated bone were suggestive of a much more extensive densely-packed cemetery. The burials were dated by the excavator to the 14th century on the basis of Highhays Ware pottery in the grave-fills. Most of the exposed remains were preserved in situ. Compiled by: Cóilín Ó Drisceoil Date of upload: 4 November 2020

Christian burial ground, medieval period, associated with the extra-mural church of St James. Significant as a religious and funerary site linked to early ecclesiastical settlement in the area.