Burial

The National Monuments Service's description

Unlcoated burials within the townland of Crossneen (Cahill & Sikora 2011, Vol. 2, 489). The files of the National Museum of Ireland records that in November 1972 human remains were discovered during bulldozing in a gravel pit just outside Carlow town. The bones were discovered approximately 0.46m below ground level. The landowner reported the find to the Gardaí, who informed the NMI. As the site was not investigated by the NMI, this report is based on Sergeant Lynn's account of the site. The skeleton was discovered approximately 0.46m below ground level and was apparently extended, oriented west-east. The head appeared to have been more elevated than the feet. No finds were noticed in the vicinity nor was there anything to indicate a stone grave or wooden coffin. The human remains were not acquired but were reburied in St. Mary's cemetery, Carlow. In March 1980 a further report of human remains at Crossneen was received through Ellen Prendergast. In this case, the discovery was made during bulldozing operations in advance of the construction of houses at Crossneen. The site was not investigated by NMI personnel (NMI File).

Compiled by Caimin O'Brien
Date of upload / revision : 10 August 2012

References

Cahill, M. and Sikora, M. (eds) 2011 Breaking ground, finding graves - reports on the excavations of burials by the National Museum of Ireland, 1927-2006, 2 vols. Dublin. Wordwell Ltd. in association with the National Museum of Ireland.