1996:034 - OWENOGARNEY RIVER, Sixmilebridge, Clare

A small-scale excavation was carried out on the west bank of the Owenogarney River following the discovery of substantial timbers projecting into the water. The results of a previous site assessment suggested that the timbers might form part of a formal wooden structure, and the fact that they were dendrochronologically dated to the late ninth/early tenth century added significance. The proposed works, which involved widening the river and therefore lowering the mean water-level, threatened the site. In light of this threat it was decided to carry out a small excavation from 2 to 4 October 1996.

The excavation revealed these timbers to be unworked tree trunks, tree roots and a root bowl lying along the river edge. With the benefit of further excavation it was revealed that they did not constitute any formal wooden structure.