- Curraheen, Co. Tipperary, Tipperary

In June 1963 human remains were discovered during the construction of a monument to ‘Ned of the Hills’ (Eamonn a’Chnuic) at Curraheen, near Hollyford, Co. Tipperary.²⁶⁴ While a trench was being dug in which to place the monument, a human skull was discovered. According to reports the skull appeared to be protected by a number of stones, but these were no longer in position at the time of examination, and the skull had been reburied in a local graveyard. The site was investigated by Professor M.J. O’Kelly, Department of Archaeology, University College, Cork, on behalf of the NMI. The area around the discovery was excavated and a number of fragmentary ribs and long bones were discovered. According to O’Kelly, the burial was probably originally extended. Local lore suggested that the severed head of Ned of the Hills had been buried at this site. A second grave-cut was noted in the south-west corner of the foundation trench but this was not investigated. Several unshaped boulders protruding through the turf at various intervals appeared to be grave-markers of the type found in killeens (Fig. 7.2). The local name for the field is the Killeen Field. The SMR records a Children’s Burial Ground at this location.²⁶⁵

264. Parish of Curraheen, barony of Toem. OS 6in. sheet 45. IGR (approx.) 191350 151888. There are no archaeological sites marked on the SMR for OS 6in. sheet 45.
265. SMR TS045-013——. IGR 191375 151874.