10 Archaeological and
Cultural Heritage
10.2 Study Methodology
The assessment
consisted of a paper survey identifying all recorded sites
within the area of study. This is a document search utilising
a number of sources including the Sites and Monuments Record;
National Museum of Ireland Topographical Files; County Development
Plans; Primary sources; and Literary sources.
The Sites and
Monuments Record (Record of Monuments and Places) is an inventory
of archaeological sites known to the National Monuments Service
with accompanying RMP Constraint Maps, based on OS 6" Sheets,
which indicate the location of each recorded site. The inventory
is backed up with files housed in the National Monuments Services
offices, which provide information on documentary, cartographic
and photographic sources and field inspections that have taken
place in relation to each identified site. The record is updated
on a constant basis. Dúchas The Heritage Service has focussed
on monuments that predate 1600AD. Buildings belonging to the
seventeenth century and later are not well represented in
their archive, although they are considered to be archaeological
sites today. As a result field inspection may reveal additional
sites from this recent past.
The National
Museum of Ireland's Topographical Files are the national archive
of all known antiquities by the National Museum. These files
are housed in the National Museum of Ireland. These files
relate primarily to artefacts but they also include references
to monuments and have a unique archive of records of previous
excavations. The find-spots of artefacts can also be an important
indication of the archaeological potential of the related
or surrounding area. The Museum's files present an accurate
catalogue of objects reported to that institution between
1928 and c. 1995. Records of material acquired by the Museum
before and after these dates are not readily accessible, unless
they have been mentioned in publications.
The Development
Plans for Counties Carlow, Kildare, Laois and Kilkenny were
also consulted. These plans set out each Council's policy
for the conservation and enhancement of their county's natural
and built environment and lists items of special environmental
or archaeological/artistic interest. They contain lists of
historic buildings and other items for preservation as compiled
for the County Council by expert bodies. In the case of County
Kilkenny the Development Plan also includes a completed list
of industrial archaeological items.
The primary
sources consulted include the published archaeological inventory
of sites and monuments in County Carlow and County Laois;
Anna Brindley & Annaba Kilfeather, Archaeological Inventory
of County Carlow (Dublin 1993); P. David Sweetman, Olive Alcock
& Bernie Moran, Archaeological Inventory of County Laois (Dublin
1995). These are not complete records, and do not cover material
that has come to light subsequently. The archives of Dúchas
The Heritage Service contribute more information. As yet there
are no published inventories for counties Kildare and Kilkenny.
Finally, a number
of literary sources were consulted. Literary sources are a
valuable means of completing the written archaeological record
of an area and gaining insight into the history of the environs
of the proposed works. The principal sources consulted are
listed at the end of this chapter in the bibliography.
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