- Ballydavis, Co. Laois, Laois

In March 1953 human remains were discovered during bulldozing operations at Ballydavis, near Portlaoise, Co. Laois.¹⁴⁵ The site in question was a gravel pit, which was being partly levelled and cleared of overgrowth under the Land Reclamation Scheme. According to the workmen at the site, six to eight skeletons had been discovered and removed from the site. The site was investigated by Ellen Prendergast. As far as could be ascertained, the remains had been found at various points on the top of the gravel mound under about 0.3m of soil, and darker patches of soil visible in the section may indicate the original location of the burials. No objects of any description were found. The burials appear to have been extended, but the orientation was not recorded. According to Prendergast, a number of other in situ remains were noted, and these appeared to be aligned west/east. There was no evidence for any stone protection around any of the burials. The remains were not acquired but were handed over to the local parish priest, who was to arrange for reburial. More recently, excavations in this townland produced evidence for a prehistoric complex including four ring-ditches, seven furnaces and a number of pits and post-holes (Keely 1996).

145. Parish of Straboe, barony of Maryborough East. OS 6in. sheet 13. LA013-027001-. IGR 251370, 201036.