Kiln in Holdenstown

On a gravel ridge, bounded to the E by a stream and to the N by a waterlogged area. Excavated in 2007/8 in advance of the N9/N10 Kilcullen to Waterford road improvement scheme (Licence no. E3630). A total of 5 kilns, 4 of which were located around the perimeter of an early medieval burial ground (KK024-131----) and are likely to be cereal-drying kilns. The fifth kiln was identified within the burial ground but clearly pre-dated it. Small amounts of slag may indicate that it functioned as a furnace. Two clusters of hearths, pits and post-holes (KK024-130----) were excavated in the immediate vicinity. (Whitty 2010a, 248, no. 939; Whitty 2010b) Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 9 December 2013