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An almost square area (dims. L c. 60m N-S; Wth c. 60m E-W) located between the Early Christian monastic foundation of 'Cluain Damh' (KD014-026017-) c. 160m to the NNW and a motte (KD014-026004-) c. 180m to the SSW and containing 'Clane Abbey' (KD014-026005-), a 13th century Franciscan Friary. Burials are concentrated to the S of the friary ruins.
In 1999, archaeological test-trenching (Excavation Licence No. 99E0386: www.excavations.ie), informed by previous geophysical investigations of a rectangular area (dims. L 40m; Wth 40m) N of the graveyard (KD014-026011-), confirmed the presence and extent of subsurface wall-features and suggested they were associated with the upstanding remains of the friary. Additional walls were also discovered to the S and SW of the graveyard and a number of burials were found outside, to the N, S and W, of the graveyard boundary walls. A gravelled surface, uncovered to the SW of the graveyard, may be the remains of a road (or street?), identified previously from aerial photographs. A stone-built 'tunnel' with an arched roof, running SW from the SE corner of the graveyard was also discovered (dims. L 8.8m NE-SW; Wth 1.2m; H above fill on floor 0.85m). This structure had been truncated by a modern sewerage pipe, and while not representative of classic souterrain construction methods, the excavator suggested it was possibly a passage leading to a souterrain chamber. Sherds of medieval pottery, fragments of roof tiles and fragments of decorated floor tiles, all of which were probably related to the friary, were also found.
Compiled by: Gearóid Conroy
Date of upload: 10 June 2011
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