What is recorded here

Flat cemetery in Coolmore is an elevated burial ground on an east-facing slope where people returned across centuries to give fire to the dead. A central upright vessel held one adult, surrounded by pits and charcoal spreads that mark repeated ceremonies rather than a single event. The dates span the Early Neolithic, later Neolithic and Middle Bronze Age, suggesting the place remained familiar long after its first use. It is not a grand monument but a remembered address, returning again and again to the same quiet ground.

In an elevated position on an E-facing slope in pasture. Excavated in 2006 in advance of the N9/N10 Kilcullen to Waterford Road Scheme (Excavation licence no. E2514). A multi-period flat cemetery comprising a central upright vessel containing the cremated remains of an adult with 16 additional pits and some charcoal spreads all containing cremated bone. Sixty-two other pits contained charcoal-rich fills but not cremated bone. One had oxidation along the base. Cremated bone from one of the cremation deposits returned an Early Neolithic date (4049 – 3971 Cal BC, UBA 10485), while a later Neolithic date (3248 – 3099 Cal BC, UBA 10481) was returned from a similar pit. A series of Middle Bronze Age dates were also returned from cremated bone deposits from several other cremation pits, including that contained with the vessel (1458 – 1386 Cal BC, UBA 10486). (Monteith 2009, no. 1009, 257; Monteith 2010) Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 1 October 2013

Multi-period flat cemetery, with activity spanning the Early Christian to medieval periods. Its location and excavation in advance of infrastructure development highlight its importance for understanding local burial practices and settlement history in the region.

The monument record does not grant public access. Check the route and ask the landowner before entering private land.