County: Tipperary Site name: BALLYBRADO HOUSE
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 98E0369
Author: Nyree Finlay and Peter Woodman, Department of Archaeology, University College Cork
Site type: Excavation - miscellaneous
Period/Dating: Mesolithic (8000 BC-4001 BC)
ITM: E 606057m, N 621003m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.340596, -7.911114
Trial excavations in the walled garden at Ballybrado House, Co. Tipperary, were initiated after a number of lithic artefacts were found by John Gardner while gardening. These were donated to the Tipperary SR Museum, where they were brought to the attention of Professor Peter Woodman, who instigated an excavation.
The assemblage of 45 pieces contained a couple of blades that suggested possible Early Mesolithic activity. Discussion with the finder suggested that in situ deposits may have been present. Unfortunately test excavations and test-pitting failed to reveal any buried soil horizon or to recover any diagnostic Mesolithic artefacts. A small lithic assemblage with later prehistoric affinities was recovered from garden soil, along with an assemblage of glazed pottery, clay pipe fragments and other 19th–20th-century domestic debris. Earlier garden features including a cobbled path and bedding trenches were also uncovered.
The fieldwork was funded by the Society of Antiquaries, London, and the Bob Smith Award from the Prehistoric Society.
