Posted online: Sep 3rd, 2008

By Claire Duignan

claire.duignan@kildarepost.com

A local man came upon an usual and horrifying discovery last week when doing some DIY repairs on his new home.

In the process of doing some digging as part of renovations he is carrying out on his house in Caragh, Kevin Cooke dug up a skull in the middle of it.

Speaking to the Kildare Post, Kevin says: “it was a bit of a shock to find it.”

The area has since been excavated and experts believe it dates back to the 1800s though it is still be examined.

Local Green Party councillor JJ Power said: “Kevin had dug about five foot deep when he found the skull. He rang the gardai and they called in the archaeological experts. The experts believe, but haven’t confirmed yet, that the skull could date back over 150 years to pre famine times.”