- Ballybritt, Co. Offaly, Offaly

In January 1938 a long cist containing an inhumation burial was discovered on a farm at Ballybritt, Co. Offaly,²⁹ when the landowner, Mr Albert Shortt, lifted a stone that was obstructing his plough. The site was reported in a number of newspapers, and a Garda report was also received. According to the Garda report, the removal of a large stone revealed ‘a shallow stone-lined and stone-covered burial place’ approximately 2m long by 0.9m wide by 0.4m deep. The ‘headstone’ (possibly an end stone) was apparently placed somewhat higher than the covering stone. According to the Garda report, the stones lining the grave were placed slanting from the bottom outwards toward the top. Only a portion of one bone was noticed by the finder, but this was not retained. According to the report, there was ‘a distinct impression of a skeleton on the clay’ at the base of the grave. The Garda report states that the area in which the grave was found contains numerous other stones protruding from the surface, such as this one, and ‘elevations like grave mounds are dotted over the hill’. It is possible that the grave was covered by lintels, but only one capstone is referred to here. It is probable that this grave is early medieval in date.

29. Parish of Aghancon, barony of Ballybritt. SMR OF043-006001-. IGR 214660 195510.