1996:381 - TULLAHEDY, Tipperary

On the first edition of the OS 6" map for this area 'Tullahedy Old House' is depicted as a long rectangular building, c. 25m long (south-west/north-east) and 10m wide; a short return is shown somewhat off-centre at its north-eastern end. Assessment of this post-medieval house site was recommended in the archaeological EIS of the proposed Nenagh Bypass. Two cuttings were excavated by hand.

Cutting 1 (20m long by 1m wide) was located in a level area to the south of the recorded position of 'Tullahedy Old House'. Stratigraphy was relatively simple, with a sod and topsoil layer (max. depth 0.15m) overlying a brown sandy silt subsoil that varied in depth from 0.2m to 0.45m; no archaeological features were noted in this layer. Undisturbed natural was found between 0.3m and 0.6m below present ground level, A feature was noted cut into the natural 4.8m from the southern end of the cutting. It was at least 0.92m in diameter and 0.36m deep (as it was bisected by the edge of the cutting its complete form is not known at present) and was filled with angular and subangular pebbles in a matrix of brown sandy silt identical to the subsoil. No datable material was found in the fill or associated with the feature; finds from the subsoil and sod are post-mediaeval and modern in date.

Cutting 2 (8m long by 1m wide) was excavated towards the north-eastern end of the building depicted on the first-edition OS map. Structural remains came to light immediately below a poorly developed sod. A mortar-bonded wall, whose northern face only survives, was found 3.8m from the southern end of the cutting; it is preserved to a maximum height of two courses of squared, but not dressed, limestone blocks. Abutting the wall and extending for a maximum of 1.6m to the north of it was a layer of cobbles. The cobbles immediately abutting the wall were a mixture of subangular and rounded pebbles and gave the impression of being disturbed, but in from the face of the wall the nature of the cobbling changed, the cobbles being firmly bedded and uniformly rounded. To the north of the cobbles, compact yellow-brown silty sand formed undisturbed natural 0.16m below present ground level; the same material was found 0.45m below present ground level below a layer of loose angular limestone blocks, probably demolition spoil, which extended over the southern 3.8m of the cutting. Red brick must have been a significant component of the structure of 'Tullahedy Old House' as a considerable amount was found in this cutting, though in neither of the structural contexts.

Power House, Pigeon House Harbour, Dublin