County: Galway Site name: DOUGHISKA
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 95E0099
Author: Martin Fitzpatrick, c/o Archaeological Services Ltd
Site type: Burnt mound
Period/Dating: Undetermined
ITM: E 535964m, N 725029m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.271727, -8.960020
This project involved the excavation of two monuments in the townland of Doughiska, on the outskirts of Galway City, prior to the construction of Phase 3 of the Galway Eastern Approach Road, which will involve the total destruction of these monuments. The sites comprised an uncertain earthwork (Site No. 1) and a burnt mound (Site No. 2). The work was commissioned by the Road Design Section of Galway County Council and the excavations were carried out between 15 May and 16 June 1995.
Excavation of the uncertain earthwork (Site No. 1) produced no archaeological material.
Excavation of the burnt mound involved the opening of an area 9m north-east/south-west by 10m north-west/south-east (Trench A). A further trench measuring 5.5m in length and 3m in width was excavated to the west-south-west of the mound (Trench B). Trench A revealed the outline of a horse-shoe-shaped mound measuring 8.8m north-west/south-east by 5.6m north-east/south-west. Concentrated areas of burning were evident in the centre of the mound and the terminal on the south-east side. At the base of the mound a number of post-holes and irregular-shaped cuts were uncovered. These formed a semicircle surrounding the opening of the mound.
While no evidence of a trough was discovered, the excavation of Trench B uncovered a natural depression with evidence of burning. Samples for C14 dating were taken from both this trench and the burnt mound.
Oranmore Industrial Park, Claregalway Rd, Oranmore, Co. Galway
