1999:053 - GORTNABOUL, Clare

Three suspected fulachta fiadh were identified, in August 1999, during the archaeological monitoring of a 10m-wide wayleave, leading south from the Ennistymon-Kilfenora road to a proposed new reservoir at Cahereamore. This work formed part of the Lisdoonvarna Water Supply Scheme.

The mound of burnt stone at Site A measured c. 16m by 7m by 0.3–0.4m high and was almost fully exposed by the wayleave. The site contained a well-constructed wood-lined trough and two smaller pits. The trough measured 1.86m by 0.6m by 0.2–0.35m deep and had an estimated capacity of 394 litres. The trough pit was partially lined with small, inwardly angled stake-holes. This strongly suggested that it was covered by a light canopy or 'tent-like' structure. A solitary stake survived in the south-west corner of the trough. A series of wider, deeper stake-holes formed a fence line (windbreak?) to the west of the trough. A general scatter of smaller stake-holes was also identified.

There were four main phases of use at the site, representing an approximate total of 110 episodes of use, based on crude estimations of volume. Finds included a thumb scraper and an unworked flint flake. No animal bones were present. The possible windbreak and the apparent canopy cover over the trough itself point towards bathing/sweating as a primary function. Dating results are pending.

Only the outer edge of the (c. 12m by 9m by 0.4m high) burnt mound at Site B was exposed by the wayleave, and very little archaeological detail could be retrieved.

Site C was a localised, thin spread of heat-shattered stone, which continued north beyond the limit of the wayleave. Excavation failed to reveal any other features of archaeological significance.

The areas between Sites A and B and between Sites A and C were also examined. No features of archaeological significance were noted.

44 Eaton Heights, Cobh, Co. Cork