Geophysical survey of Old Kilcullen completed

Kildare Heritage Officer Bridget Loughlin with John Howard, Ann and Jim Corrigan, Ray Stewart, Christy Howard, and Cian Hogan of Earthsound Geophysics.

Members of the Old Kilcullen Area Community Association have been given an explanation of a geophysical survey which was completed in the area around the ancient monastic settlement this week, writes Brian Byrne. 

Archaeologist Cian Hogan from Earthsound Geophysics conducted the survey, which was funded with the help of the Heritage Department in Kildare County Council.

This follows an aerial LIDAR investigation of the Curragh Plains last year, which also took in the Old Kilcullen site. The results will be analysed and a report produced for the Old Kilcullen Area Community Association within a few weeks.

"It's the first time this has been done up here," says Christy Howard of OKACA, thanking landowners, Jim and Ann Corrigan for their cooperation with the project. "We talk a lot about the round tower and the crosses, but nothing has ever been done about what is underneath."

Kildare Heritage Officer Bridget Loughlin, who helped with the Association's funding application for the project, is also keen to see what may be found. "Old Kilcullen is one of my favourite sites, but I have always been curious as to where exactly the original town was."

The land where the survey was undertaken is in private ownership as a working farm, and may not be entered without permission.

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