2024:091 - GOATISLAND AGI, Limerick

A programme of pre-development archaeological testing was conducted at Goatisland AGI, County Limerick. Archaeological activity was revealed at the south-western corner of the proposed development area, in the vicinity of a previously recorded and excavated fulacht fia (burnt mound) LI040-046. The recorded archaeological site was excavated in 1986 during mitigation works at construction phase associated with Bórd Gáis Éireann Curraghleigh West—Limerick gas pipeline. The newly identified archaeological feature also consisted of a leveled former burnt mound and it is to be assumed to be an unexcavated portion of LI040-046 or additional pyrolithic activity associated with the same. It is believed that the newly identified burnt mound could have been a continuation of LI040-046, which extended beyond the limits of excavation from 1986, or a deliberately preserved in situ portion during the mitigation works. The burnt mound was truncated by several modern drainage features, appeared to contain a maximum thickness of approximately 0.2m, and spreading approximately 11.5m north-east/south-west by over 12m, extending beyond the northern limit of the excavated trench.