1996:032 - KNOCKYCLOVAUN, Clare

Archaeological test-trenching was carried out on a proposed residential development site at Knockyclovaun, Killaloe, Co. Clare, on 8 and 9 May 1996 to assess the potential archaeological remains on the site. The site lies at the north of the town on the River Shannon shoreline where a small channel, cut for the purposes of mooring boats, has been in existence since the early nineteenth century. This silted up over the years but was reopened at various times.

Killaloe and its surrounding area are rich in archaeological monuments, with numerous stray finds derived from the river bed close to Beal Boru and the surrounding towniands. There was one recorded SMR site in the vicinity of the proposed development site to the south: a holy well (45:32).

The site slopes from the west towards the river, with a flat area on the river shore. Fifteen trenches were opened across the site from west to east. Nine long trenches were located along the sloped portion of the site under grass, while the shorter trenches were opened in the flat area on which dumped dredged material lay in mounds across the site.

A burnt mound revealed in Trench 2 and a small spread of charcoal-flecked soil both indicate an archaeological presence on the site. However, no archaeological soils or features were noted in the other trenches opened, suggesting that these are isolated and that the site does not possess areas of extensive or intensive archaeological activity.

The test-trenching identified a peat horizon in Trench 7 which may incorporate archaeological remains. It also revealed that a great deal of reclamation upcast from work in recent years was spread over the low-lying shoreline area and low ground at the south of the site, with up to 1.5–2m of soil from the river bed and rubble fill.

Accordingly, archaeological excavation of the fulacht fiadh mound and surrounding area and monitoring have been suggested for the site during ground preparation works.

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