Ring-ditch in Holdenstown

On high ground in a commanding position. Situated within a ditched enclosure (KK024-117001-). Excavated in 2007 in advance of the N9/N10 Kilcullen to Waterford road improvement scheme (Licence no. E3681). A ring-ditch (diam. 16.65m; max. D 0.4m; av. Wth 1.3m) with an undug causeway at W (Wth 2.3m). 12 antler picks were carefully deposited at S and a small quantity of burnt bone and charcoal were recovered from the fill. Two post-medieval linear features crossed the ring-ditch NE-SW. Two slightly smaller ring-ditches (KK024-117004- and KK024-117005-) were excavated within the same enclosure and another ring-ditch (KK024-117002-) lies outside the excavated area and the roadway to the N. One of the ring-ditches (KK024-117004-) contained 5 inhumation burials and there were further burials within the larger enclosure. A fourth associated ring-ditch (KK024-117002-) (visible on an aerial photograph GB89.AP.25 taken in 1989) remains outside the area of excavation to the NW. (Whitty 2009; 2010, 248, no. 938) Compiled by: Mary Tunney Date of upload: 10 December 2013