2012:543 - BORRISLAND SOUTH/GORTEENY/KNOCKANEVIN/GARRYNAMONA/LISNASELLA/FARNEYBRIDGE/FERTIANA/COMMONS/BALLYCARRANE/TURTULLA/MOYCARKY/HOLYCROSS/BALLYCAHILL/GARRYNAMONA, AND ABBEY AND FRIAR ROADS, THURLES, Tipperary

An extensive programme of monitoring is required as part of the construction of the Thurles Water Supply Scheme. This is being carried out in conjunction with the archaeological testing required for the scheme (Excavations 2012, No. 560, 12E195). To date a number of areas have been stripped of topsoil, including greenfields within the townland of Raheen and Farneybridge. Three sites of archaeological potential have been identified within the wayleave of the proposed pipeline, which have been subject to excavation and are summarized below. However, monitoring will continue during 2013 and an updated summary will be issued once works are complete.

Farneybridge 1 (NGR 206536 156962) was characterised by burnt mound activity, which was located on the eastern edge of marginal, boggy ground. Farneybridge 1 was located c. 90m north-north-west of Farneybridge 2. The burnt mound at Farneybridge 1 measured 14.9m x 11.3m but had been largely levelled through ploughing. The mound sealed a trough, along with a linear feature and a pit. A post-medieval boundary ditch/drain ran through the site, which truncated the remains of the burnt mound. This ditch appeared to be contemporary with two tree boles excavated at Farneybridge 1. The trough was located within the north-western part of the site. It was sub-triangular with steep sides and a flat base. The trough contained three fills, two of which contained charcoal and heat-affected stone. The trough cut through an earlier gully, which was filled by a black silt clay containing heat-affected stones, suggesting further water-heating activity had taken place at this site before this trough was dug. A further earlier trough may exist outside of the excavation area.

Farneybridge 2 (NGR 206569 156909) was also characterised by burnt mound activity, located on the eastern edge of marginal ground. The burnt mound at Farneybridge 2 measured up to 14.3m x 5.2m and had been largely levelled through ploughing. The mound sealed a trough, which was located at the northern end of the mound and possessed a figure-of-eight plan with an uneven base. Five further pits with a maximum diameter of between 1.88m and 1.22m were also excavated. These all had charcoal-rich fills containing heat-affected stones suggesting they were contemporary with the trough.

Raheen 1 (NGR 207241 156733) was characterised by potential prehistoric activity. Two parallel curvilinear slot trenches were excavated measuring 8.8m and 5.2m in length. The trenches may have formed the south-eastern side of a circular structure, which extends outside of the area of excavation and may have possessed a diameter of c. 6m. Post- and stake-holes associated with the foundation trenches may have held roof or wall supports. A kiln was excavated to the south-west of these two trenches. It was located within the projected line of the foundation trenches suggesting that it may not be contemporary, or that possibly the curving trenches formed part of a wind break or temporary structure associated with the kiln. The kiln was sub-oval in plan with a rounded base and was 4.5m long by 1.6m wide. It showed evidence of in situ burning around its edges and its earliest fills were ashy silts suggesting it had not been cleaned out after its final use.