Ecclesiastical enclosure in Kilbeggan

Kilbeggan town (WM038-017----) is situated on the River Brosna in the low-lying countryside of south Westmeath. According to Gwynn and Hadcock (1970, 388) a monastery was founded at Kilbeggan by St Beagán in the sixth or seventh century. Its name is derived from Chill Bheagáin, meaning the church of Beagán’s (OS Letters 1837). In 1837 Thomas O’Conor recorded in the Ordnance Survey Letters that ‘the common name prevalent among those who give the monastery its Irish name is mainistir Cill Beacáin [monastery of the church of Beacáin]’. There is no certain mention of this saint’s name in the early martyrologies. According to Ó Riain (2011, 92-3) the church of Kilbeggan may be named after St Beagán of Foithearbh Shinhill, son of Colmán son of Diarmuid, ancestor of the Clann Cholmáin. The patron’s day at Kilbeggan was held on the 24th of July, the eve of the feast of St James. The Urban Survey suggested that 'the church of St Beagán was located in or beside the old graveyard (WM038-017002-) south-west of the town but definite evidence can only be obtained by archaeological excavation' (Bradley et. al. 1985, 104). Swan (1988, 17) suugested that there was evidence of an Early Christian ecclesiastical enclosure in the semi-circular form of the graveyard (WM038-017002-) boundary wall. In 2003 a geophysical survey carried out by GeoArc Ltd uncovered the sub-surface remains of the Cistercian Abbey of Kilbeggan (WM038-017007-) and the findings from this survey suggested that the abbey was 'wrapped around an early medieval monastery, which is still in use as a graveyard (WM038-017002-) (Hayden 2006, 522). In 2004 a geophysical survey carried out by Earthsound on behalf of ADS Ltd revealed the remains of a curving ditch to the W of the Cistercian abbey which may be the remains of an ecclesiastical boundary ditch that was possibly associated with a large cemetery containing approximately 960 burials. Archaeological excavations took place at this cemetery between April and July 2005 by Eoin Corcoran under licence No. 04E1327ext. The summary results of the excavation revealed 'a burial ground with a subrectangular ditched enclosure around it measuring c. 20m by 20m. Approximately 960 burials were excavated from within the enclosure, as well as a substantial amount of disarticulated remains. The majority of the burials were orientated from east to west in simple graves. It appears to have been a community burial ground used over a period of time, as all ages were well represented in the assemblage. Most of the burials intercut each other and phases were difficult to elucidate, given the density of the burials. Some of the burials had finds associated with them, including a bone comb, a double-sided copper alloy comb, a coloured glass bead and a finger ring. Three burials exhibited signs of violent death – two by arrowheads and one by a spearhead, all found in rib cages during excavation. There was evidence for possible structures and metalworking activity within the burial enclosure in the form of several post-holes, possible smithing hearths and the recovery of slag from some deposits. Towards the east of the site portions of a large ditch that would be affected by the proposed development were excavated. This ditch may be part of the enclosing ditch for the Cistercian abbey located to the east of the site. Further analysis of the material removed from the ditch is being carried out in order to establish a date for it. Post-excavation analysis of the remains from this site is ongoing' (Corcoran 2008, 377-8). Compiled by: Caimin O'Brien Date of upload: 17 April 2014