
Good Land Makes Good Stories
Archaeological discoveries from the N80 Maidenhead Road Realignment Scheme, Co. Laois
Between November 2015 and September 2018, Irish Archaeological Consultancy (IAC) Ltd . identified and excavated two archaeological sites in advance of the N80 Maidenhead Road Realignment Scheme. Work was carried out on behalf of Laois County Council and overseen by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), under licences issued by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in consultation with the National Museum of Ireland.
N80 Scheme location
Project
The N80 Maidenhead Realignment Scheme involved the upgrade of the N80 National Secondary Road at Maidenhead Bend, Co. Laois, traversing the lowlands of Ballynagall, Maidenhead, Coolanowle, Kilcruise and Castletown. This bend is situated approximately 12.5km northwest of Carlow and approximately 16km southeast of Stradbally.
Map showing the N80 road realignment, designed to avoid the two dangerous bends (labelled 1 & 2)
Archaeological and Environmental Investigations
Two archaeological excavations and a palaeoenvironmental investigation were carried out in three locations in townlands of Maidenhead and Ballynagall, located c. 1km–2.5 km northwest of the villages of Arles, c. 3km south of Ballylynan. The area is characterised by well-drained fertile plains, interspersed with drumlins, overlying glacial boulder clays and limestone bedrock.
The two excavations consisted of a single-feature late medieval site at Ballynagall 1, and a multi-period complex site at Maidenhead 1; giving evidence of human activity and settlement spanning 3000 years. The discovery of these two previously-undocumented archaeological sites, and the resulting discoveries, scientific analyses and research, followed a rigorous phase of archaeological and built-heritage assessment of the road scheme, in advance of construction.
The palaeoenvironmental (pollen) investigation at a third location in a small pond known as ‘Black Oran’, between Ballynagall and Maidenhead, revealed a vegetation history of the local area over an 800 year-time span dating from 2000 years ago.
Location map showing the three sites investigated
Landscape Setting
The N80 road realignment scheme is located on flat, fertile agricultural land, currently under pasture and previously used for mixed farming and tillage. The local landscape is dominated by a prominent drumlin located to the southwest, resulting in prolific seasonal water supply in the form of streams, ponds and springs. In addition, the general area is sheltered by higher ground to the west but possesses extensive views to the east. The scheme crosses a pond known as Black Oran and two small streams. one north of Maidenhead and one between Ballynagall and Maidenhead.
Maidenhead: Excavation at the northern extent of Maidenhead recorded several meandering small streamlets, caused by ancient flood events which resulted in the formation of gravel deposits throughout antiquity. One stream channel was dated c. 752–413 BC, although these natural events were a feature of the site that continued into the early medieval period and possibly later.
Maidenhead from the north, showing IAC test trenches (left, middle-ground) and prominent hill (drumlin) to the west (background)
Black Oran Pollen Core: Located at the southern section of the scheme, a small pond known as 'Black Oran' occupied a small wooded hollow on the eastern side of the prominent drumlin in Ballynagall and Maidenhead townlands. A pollen core was taken of the pond sediments. Analysis of the pollen from the core allowed us to reconstruct the vegetation in the locality.
Aerial view of Black Oran pond from the north
Archaeological Discovery
Geophysical Survey
In April 2017, Earthsound Geophysics Ltd . undertook an extensive programme of Geophysical Survey (using magnetometer and resistivity) of the greenfield areas of the N80 scheme. This identified a number of potential archaeological features and possible sites, including the main enclosure ditches and channels subsequently excavated at Maidenhead and several features at Ballynagall (see Location Map above)
Yellow - Geophysical Anomalies, Red - Excavation Limit at Maidenhead (Above)
Test Trench Excavation
In March and April 2018, the route of the N80 was tested by excavating a comprehensive series of machine-dug strip or linear test trenches, supervised by IAC. This archaeological technique is commonly used to identify and quantify archaeological remains, and on the N80 resulted in the confirmation of previously-identified geophysical anomalies as archaeological sites at both Ballynagall and Maidenhead.
Excavation Results
Archaeological excavations at Maidenhead and Ballynagall were confined to the land required for road construction. Whilst archaeological features at Ballynagall were completely excavated, the full extent of the remains uncovered at Maidenhead were not uncovered and remain preserved for future generations.
Aerial view of Maidenhead mid excavation (North is to the left) (Image credit: IAC)
Maidenhead: Multi-period complex site
Maidenhead was the most complicated and varied archaeological site on the scheme, with three separate time periods of human activity represented. This included evidence ranging from temporary prehistoric sites to a large ringfort settlement with a large enclosing ditch and associated radiating field system.
Excavation at the northern extend of Maidenhead recorded several meandering small streamlets, caused by ancient flood events creating low mounds of gravel throughout antiquity. One stream channel was dated c. 752–413 BC, although these natural events were a feature of the site that possibly continued into the early medieval period.
Aerial oblique image of Maidenhead, under excavation, facing northeast
Phased site plan of Maidenhead excavation
Late Bronze Age / Early Iron Age (c. 800 - 400 BC)
Maidenhead Burnt Mound / Fulacht Fia
Maidenhead Burnt Mound / Fulacht Fia
The earliest dated archaeological activity at Maidenhead was radiocarbon dated to between c. 771–544 BC, and is interpreted as a pyrolithic or hot stone site, consisting of a small burnt spread, associated trough and an adjacent gully—possibly a natural channel that was used as an adjacent water source. Charcoal, from hazel wood, from this gully was radiocarbon dated to c. 752–413 BC, suggesting these were contemporary. Other evidence of prehistoric activity included several struck flint and chert artefacts scattered throughout the site, likely to be residual finds.
Detailed Plans of Late Bronze Age / Early Iron Age features at Maidenhead excavation (Right)
Aerial Image of Late Bronze Age / Early Bronze Age features at Maidenhead (Below)
Burnt Mound showing trough and burnt spread, facing southwest
Late Iron Age / Early Medieval (c. AD 200 - 550)
Maidenhead Possible Occupation
Maidenhead Possible Occupation
Excavations at Maidenhead also revealed heavily-truncated but tantalising evidence for occupation in the period dated c. AD 265–529. This possibly indicates the former location of a circular house that would have extended beyond the limits of the excavation (up to c. 23 m in diameter), or may represent a simple semi-circular wind break.
No artefactual evidence was recovered directly from this feature, although a contemporary jet object was recovered from a nearby later ditch truncating the gully.
Detailed Plans of Iron Age / Early Medieval features at Maidenhead excavation (Right)
Aerial image of Iron Age / Early Medieval features at Maidenhead (Right)
Early Medieval (c. AD 650 - 780)
Maidenhead Ringfort and Associated Field System / Rath
Maidenhead Ringfort and Associated Field System / Rath
An extensive, if short-lived, period of settlement took place around the late 7/8th century AD at Maidenhead 1, with the construction, use, and abandonment of a rath or ringfort (i.e. a medieval farmstead) and associated field system.
This comprised a C-shaped inner enclosure, c. 30m in diameter with internal structures, waste pits and industrial activity; a southern annex with radiating field system, and an outer curving field boundary, 62m south from the rath. The full size and extent of the field system are unknown, as it extends beyond the area used for the road and so remains preserved. However, the marshy area and intercutting streams immediately to the north, may have acted as a natural boundary to the settlement.
The rath entrance faced to the west, and the enclosed area had an occupation surface interspersed with a confusing linear pattern of intercutting pits, two cereal-drying kilns and drainage gullies that are tightly radiocarbon dated to c. AD 708–774, contemporary with the enclosing ditches. Activity within these features demonstrated oat and some wheat were the main crop harvested and processed on site. Domestic livestock (cows, sheep and pigs) were bred for meat, traction, dairy and wool; complemented occasionally by horseflesh and perhaps, venison.
Artefactual and environmental evidence was indicative of an early medieval domestic settlement and arable (oat and some wheat) production, small-scale craft, including metalworking and possibly-antler working. Some finds recovered were most likely from disturbance to the earlier Iron Age activity below the rath.
The archaeological evidence is confirmed by an adjacent paleoenvironmental study that shows a significant period of forest clearance in the 7th century AD as the landscape was opened up for arable and pastoral farming.
Detailed Plans of Maidenhead Ringfort and Associated Field System / Rath at Maidenhead excavation (Right)
Aerial image of Maidenhead Ringfort and associated Field System / Rath features at Maidenhead (Below)
Selection of early medieval finds at Maidenhead
Copper alloy Buckle
Blue glass bead
Bone Spindle Whorl
Post-medieval (c. AD 1650 - 1800)
Maidenhead Field Boundary
Maidenhead Field Boundary
This feature was dated by a 18/19th century clay pipe fragment fused with a piece of mortar. It was parallel to the earlier early medieval field boundary to the south, which it replaced.
Detailed plan of post-medieval field boundary at Maidenhead excavation (Right)
Aerial overview of post-medieval field System September 2018 (Below).
Ballynagall Cereal-drying kiln
Ballynagall Cereal-drying kiln
Ballynagall 1 was discovered during advance archaeological testing. Two archaeological features were excavated by David Bayley, IAC director – a late medieval cereal-drying kiln and an isolated post-hole (date and function unknown).
Charcoal (from cherry or blackthorn wood) from within the kiln was radiocarbon dated to c. AD 1658–1950, but most likely used in the 17th–19th century.
The function of this kiln was to slowly dry crops for thrashing. Unfortunately, no charred seeds were recovered from the excavation, although the charcoal recovered was almost-exclusively elm wood with only fragments of willow, alder and hazel—suitable for wattling–and probably used in the wattle and daub cupola or dome superstructure. Elm may also have been used as fuel.
Ballynagall Kiln, mid-excavation, facing south
The remains of the feature comprised two chambers, separated by a ridge. One chamber would have been used to contain the fire (the fire pit), while the other chamber was used for drying (e.g. grain). Parts of the drying chamber revealed a reddened clay soil containing fragments of burnt clay and charcoal – this was remains of dome after it collapsed.
Similar cereal-drying kilns are found throughout Ireland on many archaeological sites, and date from late prehistory to the post-medieval / early modern period.
Aerial Survey and Photogrammetry
Aerial view of Maidenhead, facing north
Drone flights were flown during the course of the projects of the whole scheme. The images from some of the surveys were combined using specialist software to produce a 3D model, Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and an orthorectified plan image (Orthomosaic) of Maidenhead 1.
3D Model of Maidenhead (Image credit: IAC)
DEM / ORTHORECTIFIED IMAGE
Specialist Analyses
Artefacts and samples recovered from the excavations at Maidenhead, Black Oran and Ballynagall were submitted for specialist analysis to experts across the island of Ireland. The results of the expert analyses provided a much deeper understanding of the nature of the archaeological and environmental findings and helped placed the findings in a wider contemporary context.
Knives Out!
Knives Out!
Twenty-one fragments of knives were found during excavations at Maidenhead. Only the iron blades, or fragments of the blades, have survived as they would have had organic handles such as wood or bone which do not always survive when buried in the ground. During the early medieval and medieval periods people would have carried their knives on them for use when needed, for example, when eating a meal but they were also used for various crafts including woodworking and leather-working. Two of the knives from Maidenhead appear to be particular types which were used as ‘trencher knives’ for smoothing the edges of loaves of bread.
Knife fragments found during the Maidenhead excavations (Right)
Stone hones or whetstones were used during the initial manufacture of knives and bladed tools but they were also used to keep blades sharp on a day-to-day basis. The most common hones were a simple, rectangular shape but they were produced in all shapes and sizes which probably reflected the different uses to which they were put. Seven were found at Maidenhead which included one small hone which has a hole for a cord so the owner could have carried it with them to sharpen their blade when required.
Whetstones found during the Maidenhead excavations (Right)
Imperial Roman Jet Jewellery in Maidenhead!
Jet Jewellery in Maidenhead
A partial fragment of Imperial Roman jet or jet-like arm bracelet was uncovered, close to the contemporary Late Iron Age gully (above). The object was part of a three-part hinged composite bracelet— many of which were decorated with gold-hinged termini. These were common throughout the Imperial Rome Empire in the 3rd century AD.
Internal view of the jet bracelet fragment (right)
However, such finds are rare outside the Roman Empire, and this is only the second of its type discovered on the Island of Ireland, the other came from a jet-workshop recovered during the 1968 excavations at- Cathedral Hill, Armagh City.
Site view of jet bracelet fragment (right)
Reconstruction drawing of jet bracelet found at Maidenhead
3D photogrammetry model of jet bracelet fragment
(Model Credit: IAC Archaeology)
Charcoal: analysis and insights
Charcoal: analysis and insights
In the past, gathering firewood was a time consuming and constant task. People probably gathered firewood from any local woodlands or forests, as close to their home as possible in order to save carrying wood. Therefore, it is likely that the remains of past fires in hearths, or maybe dumped in pits, are fairly representative of local woodlands. Analysis of the charcoal recovered from Maidenhead has shown that a variety of trees were burnt at the site. Hazel, oak and ash were mainly used. Other trees, including wetland trees such as willow and alder and smaller scrub trees such as blackthorn, cherry and apple were used occasionally or specifically in one activity. So people were exploiting different types of woodlands – oak with hazel under-storey and wet alder and willow woods.
Hazel charcoal under a microscope (Right)
Another aspect that archaeological charcoal can shed light on is the wood used for structures in the past, if a house was maybe burnt to the ground and pieces of the carbonised wood survived. At Maidenhead, it is likely that at least one post was made from oak, a strong and dense wood which has been used for building in Ireland from the prehistoric period. The majority of the charcoal samples were from pits at Maidenhead, where people could have cleaned out their hearths and dumped the ashy, charcoal remains, providing us with evidence of all their local woods.
Ash charcoal under a microscope (right)
The Plant Remains: arable production
The Plant Remains: arable production
Charred seeds and cereal grains were found in some of the early medieval deposits excavated at Maidenhead, with most coming from samples that were dated to the late 7th or the 8th centuries. They included grains of oat and wheat and some hazelnut shell fragments. There were also a few seeds from plants that were probably weeds, accidentally harvested with the arable crop.
Cobnuts (right)
Oat was the most common item found and this is typical in the early medieval period. We know that it was one of the easiest crops to grow because it is more tolerant of the cool, damp Irish climate than wheat or barley. It was probably used as an ingredient in a variety of recipes; for porridges and gruels, for flat oatcakes and, in times of plenty, for animal fodder.
Charred grain (right)
Pollen Analysis: reconstructing ancient landscapes
Pollen Analysis: reconstructing ancient landscapes
As part of the N80 Scheme, a pond known as ‘Black Oran’ was cored by a team from the Palaeoenvironmental Research Unit, National University of Ireland, Galway in 2018. Using specialised equipment, a core (tube of sediment) measuring 97cm was extracted from the pond.
Aerial Oblique view of Black Oran Pond (Right)
Fossil pollen was chemically extracted from the sediment. This pollen is exceptionally useful in providing insights into human activity, in particular farming, as there are several key pollen types that originate from plants strongly associated with people. The different pollen present can be used to reconstruct environmental change and land-use history in the area over time.
Coring at Black Oran, Maidenhead, N80, beneath a canopy of willow and alder. The core recovered consisted of organic-rich sediments overlying water deposited clays (Right)
The resulting pollen diagram from Black Oran covers a time period of c. 800 years spanning the Late Iron Age into the early medieval. During this time period, the surrounding vegetation changed from a relatively open fern-rich hazel scrub with evidence for cereal cultivation to a woodland dominated landscape with minimal evidence for human impact. The main tree present during this period of c. 500 years was hazel but tall canopy trees, elm and ash, were also present. Willow probably grew in the wet soils around the pond much as it does today. The evergreen tree yew also played a role in the woodland shortly after c. AD 200. Extensive woodland clearance in the context of renewed farming, both pastoral and arable, is recorded from c. AD 600 when pollen of plants such as grass, ribwort plantain, dandelions, buttercups and cereals become more prevalent in the record.
Grass in flower and its pollen (left); hazel leaves and pollen (right)
Percentage Pollen Diagram for Black Oran (Right)
The Animal Bones: early medieval farming
The Animal Bones: early medieval farming
Animal husbandry was an important part of early medieval farming and the faunal evidence from Maidenhead comprises a mixture of material from domestic activities together with primary slaughter waste. Butchery marks show food production and consumption was the main activity.
Dog mandible recovered from Maidenhead excavation (right) possibly from the remains of a hunting dog
Beef formed the bulk of the animal protein consumed by the occupants of the enclosure followed by almost equal amounts of mutton and pork. Animals were slaughtered and butchered in the settlement. Cattle were used for traction, meat and dairy production, sheep were providers of meat and wool, and pigs were bred for meat alone. A small number of horses were also eaten.
Cut antler tine recovered from Maidenhead excavation (right) may also indicate limited craft production at the sites (e.g. knife handles or antler combs).
Radiocarbon Dates
Calibrated Radiocarbon dates
c. 800 - 400 BC Maidenhead
Burnt Mound Spread/Fulacht Fia
c. AD 200 Black Oran Pond (pollen)
Extensive Woodland Clearance
c. AD 200 – 550 Maidenhead
Curving Gully – Possible Settlement
c. AD 600 Black Oran Pond (pollen)
Pastoral and Arable Farming
c. AD 650 – 880 Maidenhead
Ringfort/Rath & Field System
c. AD 1650 – 1800 Maidenhead
Field Boundary
c. AD 1658 – 1900 Ballynagall
Cereal-drying Kiln

It takes a village
It takes a village. Click to expand.
Where our specialists are

IAC Archaeology
IAC Archaeology. Click to expand.
IAC is an award winning archaeological and built heritage consultancy with offices in Kilcoole and Belfast. Which provides a comprehensive range of heritage services to private and public sector clients both North and South of the Border.

14CHRONO Centre
14CHRONO Centre. Click to expand.
Radiocarbon Dating

Dr Penny Johnston
Dr Penny Johnston. Click to expand.
Plant Macro Analysis

Dr Lorna O'Donnell
Dr Lorna O'Donnell. Click to expand.
Charcoal Specialist

Margaret McCarthy
Margaret McCarthy. Click to expand.
Animal Bone Analysis

Dr Karen Molloy, NUIG
Dr Karen Molloy, NUIG. Click to expand.
Pollen Analysis

Siobhan Scully
Siobhan Scully. Click to expand.
Finds Analysis

Dr Paul Stevens
Dr Paul Stevens. Click to expand.
Jet/Lignite Jewellery Specialist

Shane Delaney
Shane Delaney. Click to expand.
Lithic Specialist
Architectural Surveys
Victorian / early modern (AD 1800–1900)
In March 2016, IAC undertook architectural and built heritage surveys for the scheme. This included a full record and survey of built heritage features or structures ranging from the post-medieval period to the recent past.
Castletown House
The original cast iron gates and recessed entranceway to the demesne associated with Castletown House (c. 1830), were recorded as a rare feature of the estate and was retained in situ. A section of 17m of derelict contemporary demesne wall was also recorded and removed for this scheme.
Dunlop’s map of the Plantation of Leix, showing Castleto[w]n, AD 1563.
The estate house previously functioned as a rectory associated with a nearby church, but possibly replaced an earlier structure, depicted as ‘Castleton’ on Robert Dunlop's map, 1563. A motte is recorded northwest of the house and Castletown is recorded as the manorial centre of Ui Buidhe (Oboy)—the pre-Norman territory given to Robert de Bigarz by Strongbow before 1176.
Castletown Demesne (1838), Ordnance Survey (Image credit: OSI, reproduced with permission under TII National Mapping Agreement)
Formal entrance to Castletown House, facing southwest
Castletown Demesne, original cast iron gates, facing south
Castletown Demesne, recessed gateway, facing south
Maidenhead House
The original gated entrance way to the landed estate or ‘demesne’ associated with early-mid. 19th century Maidenhead House, associated with the Bambrick family, is a rare feature of the estate and was moved back away from the roadway and retained.
Maidenhead Demesne, Google Maps (2016)
Maidenhead Demesne, Ordnance Survey (1838) (Image credit: OSI, reproduced with permission under TII National Mapping Agreement)
View southwest through the entranceway
Close-up of the two gate piers, facing west
Victorian Post Box
This is a rare early example that was wall-mounted within the Castletown House demesne wall. It was retained in situ, and is still in use today
The Victorian post box in its setting
Summary
A brief summary of the results of the archaeological, architectural and palaeoenvironmental investigations, undertaken in advance of the N80 Maidenhead Road Realignment scheme, are presented here in this StoryMap. These findings have resulted in a greater understanding of the later prehistoric and early medieval settlement and farming activity of the county. It has revealed evidence for three previously-undiscovered archaeological monuments in the area; added to the growing evidence for the short life spans of some early medieval ringforts, and also produced an unexpected and rare imported Roman artefact.
Four archaeological phases of activity were excavated: a Late Bronze Age/early Iron Age Burnt Mound; a late Iron Age/early medieval structure; a large early medieval rath/ringfort with radiating fields and a post-medieval cereal-drying kiln. In addition, architectural/built heritage surveys identified rare ornate fixtures from the two large demesne estates in the area, including a rare Victorian post-box.
Further reading: watch out for more news and journal articles on the N80 Maidenhead.
Post-excavation work is still ongoing however, on completion the final archaeological reports on the M80 Maidenhead realignment scheme excavations will be available to downloand at the Irish Digital Repository in due course