1998:624 - RIVERRUN HOUSE, Cornamult, Terryglass, Tipperary

Monitoring took place in November 1998 of construction works for a small residential development, following an assessment by Ken Hanley in September 1998 (No. 623, Excavations 1998), which identified a large curvilinear ditch feature and several other features within the footprint of development. Following consultation with Dúchas, the foundations were raised and a pad-and-beam structure was employed to span the ditch, with remaining features protected with a geotextile mesh.

Archaeological investigation revealed the ditch to be 2.8m wide and 0.75m deep, with a primary gravel fill, suggesting that it was designed to fill with water. Later sand fills show that the ditch continued to hold water until it was deliberately backfilled with a stony clay fill. A lower charcoal layer with token crushed cremated bone above the primary gravel fill suggested that the structure was built as a prehistoric funerary monument-a ring-ditch or barrow. If circular, the structure would measure c. 40m in diameter and occupy part of the eastern flood-plain of the river.

No further archaeological mitigation is considered necessary for this development. However, any proposed further ground disturbance or development on the site should be subject to archaeological appraisal as it is likely that further archaeological issues will arise.