An archaeological excavation is taking place in Portlaoise
A large rectangular enclosure was discovered partially located at the site which is earmarked for the development of 99 houses and a creche
An archaeological excavation is underway at the site of a proposed large housing development in Portlaoise.
Planning approval was granted by An Bord Pleanala to Thomas Kelly & Sons Group Ltd for the construction of 99 houses and a creche at a site in Rathevan in Portlaoise. The plans had been approved by Laois County Council in 2022 but were appealed to An Bord Pleanala who also granted permission in March of 2024.
An Archaeological report submitted when plans first went to Laois County Council explained that a skeleton had previously been located on lands near the site during a previous excavation.
“There are no ringforts within the townland of Rathevan, however the name can be translated as Rath Aoibhinn, which translates as delightful rath, or fort. This may be indicative of an unrecorded ringfort or enclosure within the townland. Ringforts are the most common archaeological monuments in the area. They consist of a circular or sub-circular area enclosed by one or more banks of earth or stone with a surrounding ditch,” the report compiled by John Purcell Archaeological Consultancy stated.
“A number of monuments have been recorded in the environs of the proposed development. A burial was uncovered in 2004 as part of an adjacent development... The burial was uncovered adjacent to the boundary separating the development from the study area. The skeleton was orientated on a SW-NE axis with the skull exposed approx. 0.4m below the surface,” the report noted.
Laois County Council requested Further Information in relation to the plans and asked for a geophysical survey of the development area.
In response, a report again compiled by John Purcell Archaeological Consultancy stated that: “A geophysical survey was undertaken at the site, this recorded a large rectangular enclosure with a number of internal features. This series of features straddles the northern boundary of the site and an adjoining land bank. The section of the enclosure within the proposed development will be impacted on by development.”
They stated that: “As a result of this preservation by record, or archaeological excavation of the remains within the site will be required. All excavation works at the site will be monitored by a licenced archaeologist. No storage of material or traversing of the area of the archaeological remains should be undertaken.”
A spokesman for the National Monuments Service said “the National Monuments Service are aware of ongoing archaeological excavations currently being carried out in advance of a housing development within the townland of Rathevan in Portlaoise.”
Michael Kelly of Thomas Kelly & Sons Group Ltd said “as per the requirements under the granted planning permission, it looked for the presence of an archaeologist while site stripping is going on.”
He said the investigation is only started at the site and the archaeologists have done an initial investigation and are now carrying out further work.
Mr Kelly explained that the works were required as part of the planning process and would continue until the archaeologists had concluded their work.