1997:598 - ENNISCORTHY: 16/17 Templeshannon, Wexford

Test excavations at this development site revealed nothing of archaeological interest in the vast proportion of the site. In the south-western portion of the site, however, a series of at least 21 pits were noted, regularly laid out, obviously at the same time, and surrounded by grey marl, apparently a waterproofing material. They lay only a few centimetres under the cleared present ground level.

Three rows of seven pits ran east–west. Each was lined with well-cut timber planks, four on edge on top of one another, c. 25mm thick. The pits measured c. 1.1m east–west by 1.4m north–south, with 165mm of the marl material between each one running north to south, and 150mm east to west. They were 1.1m deep and completely full of wood-chip-type material which smelt quite strongly, apart from a few stones on top. They also had timber plank bases. When one was completely removed, it was seen to have been dug into the natural soil. It was also noted that once they were disturbed, water began seeping out of them. This site is only c. 120m distant from the River Slaney to the south-west, which can cause flooding after rain, although not usually to the height of this site, which is only barely c. 3m above sea- level at its highest point.

The pits were in line with stone walls running along the southern and western boundaries of the site, and may have been tanning pits. It is known that the site had been used as a funeral undertakers until the middle of this century, but it is not known what industry took place here before that. A sawmill was situated to the west of this portion of the site.

No artefacts were found in association with the pits, and their presence within a building, parts of whose walls are still in use, indicates that they are probably not of any great antiquity.

Glen Fahan, Ventry, Tralee, Co. Kerry