Exciting archeological dig uncovers item of huge Kilkenny interest

An exciting archeological dig at the Rock of Dunamase in County Laois has already unearthed multiple 800 year old artifacts, with a possibility of real treasure to be discovered in the coming weeks.

The discovery of ‘Kilkenny-ware’ pottery is of substantial local interest.

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Archeologist Colm Flynn was particularly taken with a piece of green glazed ceramic pottery (pictured).

“This was often used for wine, it’s Kilkenny-ware,” he explained.

“They were replicating the fashion of France. It has lead in it, an element that they actually were poisoning themselves with.

“We know when this was in use so we know it’s from about the year 1200. It hasn’t seen daylight in 800 years.”

Archeologist Colm Flynn showing dark areas where a high defensive wall would have stood 800 years ago.

Another interesting piece found is made of a copper alloy metal, with a tiny nail rivet still piercing it.

“It might have been a strap handle, probably from a belt or a bible clasp,” Colm explained.

“It’s the high medieval period, there’s a fair bit of workmanship in this.”

He describes another find as very rare and said the team were delighted to uncover it.

Nicknamed a doorknob, it is a delicately whittled piece of animal bone to make what looks like a chess piece.

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“It’s a gaming piece, they often had drinking games,” Colm said.

“We weren’t sure what it was at first but there is a similar piece found in Cork with the same stamp.”

The crew have also found a handful of copper coins.

“None are as old as the castle, we will have to clean them in correct conditions in the lab as the clay may have bonded to the metal,” he said,

“They are 18th and 19th century coins.”

The Kilkenny-ware pottery fragment

There is every chance that they could yet find a version of the Tara Brooch.

“The Anglo Normans have more dress items than the Gaelic Irish so yes there is potential to find such jewellery,” Colm Flynn said.

Leinster ware, the metal riveted artifact, and the 'doorknob' a carved bone gaming piece, all found at the Rock of Dunamase dig

The field has distinct areas of darker colours, which he explains prove there was a high bank at one end, dug painstakingly deep to keep out wild animals or intruders. 

There is evidence of building structures, and still the black ashes and red earth where food was cooked on fires, and where grain was dried to preserve it for the winter. 

The recent rain is washing away the subsoil revealing new fragments of pottery and animal bones in multiple places.

Colm said the field would have been a medieval settlement of soldiers or workers for the lords in the castle.

The archeologist was keen to further explain the history of the Rock of Dunamase.

“Marshalls built the castle on top of an older defensive dún,” he said.

A red and black patch showing the presence of a fire area from 800 years ago

“Marshall had married Strongbow and Aoife’s daughter and inherited it.

“It passed through two or three more Anglo Norman families then in the 14th century their power was hemmed back with the Black Death and the Bruce Invasion. What follows we call the Gaelic Resurgence. 

“The O’Moores came into their own and had it probably from the late 14th century until the English plantation in the 16th century. 

“We don’t think they used it as their base because it lacks evidence of use by the O’Moores, who were based in Clapooke.

“We are told that Cromwell made it indefensible with cannons.

“Later Parnells constructed a country house adding the brickwork.”

View of the dig site and new carpark, from the top of the Rock of Dunamase

Laois County Council has commissioned the dig on the site of a new visitor carpark enhancing tourism facilities at the iconic nearby visitor attraction.

The carpark will be located at the base of the historic ruined fortress, which lies off the main N80 road between Portlaoise and Stradbally.

The dig began on June 30, and it may last up to three months, because the entire site must be examined before it is overlaid with the carpark.

The dig team includes experts from Italy, Spain and Poland, Kildare, Meath, Carlow and Offaly.

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The field was first scraped clear of topsoil, so that the older subsoil, can be carefully dug with small hand tools, section by section. 

The new carpark will also have toilet facilities, thanks to the cooperation of the Church of Ireland community.

There will also be two power points providing foodtrucks with the potential to park onsite.

For safety, the carpark will be closed outside of daylight hours, as the Rock is a dangerous to visit, even in daylight hours.

It has unprotected steep rocky drops, as well as a deep hole likely made when quarrying stone to build the castle, later used as a dungeon or ‘oubliette’ for unlucky prisoners. 

The new carpark is presently scheduled to be completed by mid 2026.

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