- Cappoley, Co. Laois, Laois

In November 1951 a human skull was found during quarrying operations at a sandpit at Cappoley, near Portlaoise, Co. Laois.¹⁵¹ According to the Garda report, the skull fell from the top of the quarry and broke into small pieces. The site was reported to the coroner and the Gardaí, who informed the NMI. A site investigation was undertaken by P.J. Hartnett. The area is described by Hartnett as a small, drumlin-type, natural gravel mound, which up to recent years had been tree-covered. No trace of a pit was evident in the upper gravel as the section had been cut back since the discovery, but according to a local the remains were found at a depth of 0.45–0.6m below the ground surface. Human remains were apparently also found in the sandpit some years ago. The remains were not acquired by the Museum.

151. Parish of Kilcolmanbane, barony of Maryborough East. SMR LA018-070——. The exact location of the find is not marked but the Garda report states that the quarry was known as Norton’s quarry and was at Sheffield house. The Battle of Plumes (1599) was apparently fought in the vicinity.