County: Tipperary Site name: DER315, Killoran
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 97E0160
Author: Sarah Cross, Lisheen Archaeological Project
Site type: Road - unclassified togher
Period/Dating: Iron Age (800 BC-AD 339)
ITM: E 622151m, N 666694m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.750856, -7.671878
This wooden track, leading to a hurdle, was built in four phases dating from 200–170 BC. In Phase 1 a layer of roundwood measuring 4m by 3m was laid on top of stumps. Since both stumps and roundwood were birch, this could represent felling in situ. In Phase 2 another layer of mixed wood measuring 5m by 4m was laid on the western edge of this surface. In Phase 3 a hurdle was laid at the north-eastern extent. In Phase 4 another layer of substantial roundwood, measuring 4m by 1.5m, was laid on the western edge of the hurdle. The site was constructed in mixed marginal forest with pools of wet fen.
This hurdle was nearly square, measuring 2.5m x 2m. It had a simple, moderately tight weave of single rods over single sails. It extended out over wet peat but was centred on a stump. This damaged the hurdle but not as badly as the hurdle at DER312 (Excavations 1997, No. 522). Most of the hurdle was well preserved.
Minorco Lisheen Ltd, Killoran, Moyne, Co. Tipperary
