EMAP_Progress_Reports_2009_2.pdf - The Heritage Council

Westmeath
Kilpatrick, Killucan, (Corbetstown townland), Co. Westmeath
Early Medieval Ecclesiastical Settlement
Grid reference: N575558
SMR No: N/A
Excavation Licence No: N/A
Excavation duration/year: Six seasons between 1973 and 1982
Site directors: D.L. Swan (Research)
Excavations at Kilpatrick revealed a large early medieval ecclesiastical earthen enclosure that
surrounded a later medieval stone church and walled cemetery. Settlement, industrial,
agricultural and burial evidence was identified which demonstrates that Kilpatrick was a
thriving ecclesiastical centre during the early middle-ages. The site is situated at 91m OD in
proximity to a low ridge. Marshland is located to the northeast which contrasts with the fertile
and well-drained soils to the south of the site.
The late medieval stone ruined church and quadrantal-shaped enclosing wall (which
demarcates a graveyard) is enclosed by an earlier oval-shaped earthen enclosure which
measures 90m east-west by 80m north-south in diameter. The ditch was on average 4m wide
and between 2.5m and 3m deep and traces of an internal bank with stone-lined façade were
detected on occasion. Animal bone was recovered in large quantities from the ditch as it was
across the site.
The vast majority of the excavation occurred outside the walled cemetery but one cutting
close to the north wall of the church revealed occupational evidence in the form of trenches,
a rectangular feature and postholes which were cut into the boulder clay. Artefacts from this
area included a number of bone pins, three fragments of E ware, a portion of a copper alloy
strip and a tiny copper alloy bird set on a ribbed tang. The features pre-dated the church and
burials. A limited number of burials were revealed immediately adjacent to and outside the
cemetery but – for the most part – they were confined within the walled enclosure.
Excavation within the interior of the oval earthen enclosure (but outside the quadrantalshaped
walled churchyard and cemetery) revealed domestic, industrial and agricultural
features. At the southern section, occupational traces were noted by a layer of charcoal and
ash. In the same area, the foundation trench of a circular structure was discovered beneath a
series of cultivation furrows. It measured 7.4m in diameter and enclosed three large
postholes but their relationship – if any – was unclear. Finds from this area included a clay
mould, some worked fragments of antler, animal bone and charcoal. Artefacts outside the
area of the circular foundation included a fragment of a penannular brooch with zoomorphic
decoration, a finely made bronze needle and crucible fragments.
Cuttings closer to the centre of the church and walled graveyard, in badly disturbed ground,
revealed a potential curving ditch that emerged from under the west wall of the churchyard
and curved around the south-western corner. This may indicate the presence of an inner
enclosure contemporary with the large outer oval enclosure. An iron hand-gouge and a bone
pin, with an anthropomorphically carved head, were recovered from this area.
Agricultural features included the series of cultivation furrows which post-dated the circular
structure (above). A stone-lined cereal-drying kiln was also present in this area (the southwestern
section of the oval enclosure) alongside numerous portions of brooch pins and ringed
pins, iron knives, miscellaneous iron objects, pieces of worked bone and antler, some sherds
of coarse ware pottery and another fragment of E ware. A second keyhole-shaped cerealdrying
kiln was situated in the western part of the enclosure and it contained substantial
deposits of grain and burned material. A series of very large well-defined curving trenches
with associated postholes, close to the kiln, may indicate the presence of a large circular
structure. Further evidence for cereal processing included the recovery of four quernstone
fragments and a large millstone fragment.
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