- BOULADUFF, CO. TIPPERARY, Tipperary

Introduction
In December 1978 two skeletons were discovered during levelling operations on a gravel ridge near Borrisoleigh, Co. Tipperary. The ridge had been partially destroyed some years before and the remainder was being removed. The bulldozer driver was in the company of two other men who were watching for badgers at the time and were therefore monitoring the work. They described seeing two upright stones and a large stone on top of these, at a depth of 1.8–2m below ground level. As the digger moved in to remove the stones, the bones fell out and were subsequently collected by Gardaí from Templemore station. No other finds were recovered at the time. An investigation was carried out by Mary Cahill on 24 December but the site had been completely destroyed. The human remains were analysed by Professor C.A. Erskine.

Location (Fig. 6.51)
The site was in the townland of Bouladuff, north Co. Tipperary, approximately 4km southeast of Borrisoleigh.⁸⁵ The SMR lists a mound at the same location, but according to the excavator the landowner was certain that this was part of a natural gravel ridge.

Description of site
There was no trace of the grave by the time of investigation. The capstone had been removed; a number of other large stones, which may have formed part of the cist, had also been removed. The grave apparently contained the unburnt remains of two individuals (1978:308–9), and no accompanying artefacts were found.

Comment
As the bones had been collected by the Gardaí, there was no information as to the disposition of the bones in the grave. The remains were found to represent two adult females. It is possible that this grave was a cist grave, but owing to the level of disturbance at the site prior to Cahill’s investigation this cannot be ascertained. In these circumstances it is not possible to suggest a date for this site.

HUMAN REMAINS
C.A. ERSKINE

1978:308-9—collection comprises well-preserved bones of two adult females. Height approximately 160cm and 165cm.

Skull: in one posterior half two parietals, occipital and temporal bones present. Facial bones and mandibles absent in both skeletons. Second skull similar but in five pieces; sutures fused. Eleven vertebrae, representing all regions of spine. Twenty rib fragments; complete right first rib.

Limb bones: in one skeleton very well preserved. Left clavicle, fragment of scapula. Wellpreserved right humerus, left has head missing. Right radius and ulna, left radius, two metacarpals and two phalanges present. Pieces of right iliac bone with well-marked muscle markings; two complete femora, tibiae and left fibula all very well preserved. Calcaneus, talus, cuboid and two fragments of metatarsals with complete first metatarsal present.

Second skeleton: arm bones absent, two iliac bones incomplete; two well-preserved femora and one left tibia present.

85. Parish of Inch, barony of Eliogarty. SMR TN034-093002-. IGR 206480 163010.