- BALLYVICMAHA, CO. MAYO, Mayo

Introduction
In December 1962 a short cist containing a cremation and a vase was discovered near Crossmolina, Co. Mayo. The discovery was brought to the attention of Dr Joseph Raftery at a public lecture at the Sligo Field Club by Major R.B. Aldridge, Mount Falcon. As the grave had been badly disturbed, Major Aldridge was asked to visit the site and report to the NMI. This report is based on Major Aldridge’s observations.

Location
The site was in the townland of Ballyvicmaha, north Co. Mayo, near the town of Crossmolina.²⁰⁹ No further details about the site are known, as the find-spot was not Recorded.

Description of site
The grave consisted of a wedge-shaped short cist with its long axis aligned north/south. It measured 0.6m long by 0.4m wide internally and was formed of four edge-set slabs, one at each side. These appear to have been relatively regular in shape, measuring 0.096m in maximum thickness (Fig. 3.116). There was no evidence of packing stones around the outside of the cist, although the site was considerably disturbed at the time of Aldridge’s visit. The floor of the cist was paved with a single slab, which did not cover the entire floor area. The cist was sealed with a capstone of irregular shape, measuring 0.74m long by 0.69m wide by 0.13m thick. The cist contained a cremation (1962:254) and a bipartite vase. The vase was in fragmentary condition, with only half of it preserved. No details were recorded as to the location of the bone.

Bipartite vase, 1962:253 (Fig. 3.117)
The bipartite vase survives in very fragmentary condition. The rim is wide and has a low internal bevel decorated with three concentric ridges, the centre one bearing radial transverse grooves. The neck is concave and on its outer surface carries simple incised, parallel, slanted strokes. A similar but wider band of slanted lines runs towards the shoulder, which is defined by two raised ribs with imperforate lugs. Part of the surface of the ribs is decorated with short strokes. The decorative scheme of the body of the vessel is not clear but was partly composed of bands of incised slanted lines separated vertically by incised lines.
Dimensions: est. H 12cm; int. D rim 10cm.

Comment
The human remains from this site have not been dated. The vase is fragmentary but is similar to some stage 1 vessels as defined by Brindley (2007, 184–5, fig. 60k). This phase is dated to the period 2020/1990–1920 BC. No report on the cremated remains was sought as the quantity was so small.

209. Parish of Crossmolina, barony of Tirawley. MA038-137——. The find-spot is not marked. Another cist is marked in this townland, SMR MA038-145——, IGR 111370 313030.