County: Roscommon Site name: DEERPARK, Boyle
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 98E0401
Author: Martin Fitzpatrick, Arch. Consultancy Ltd.
Site type: Burnt spread
Period/Dating: Undetermined
ITM: E 580107m, N 804519m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.989550, -8.303329
This project involves the monitoring of ground disturbance associated with the development of the Boyle Canal Project, Co. Roscommon. The works, which are being carried out by Dúchas Waterways, involve the mechanical excavation of a mooring and a navigable channel to facilitate the mooring of vessels closer to the town of Boyle.
During monitoring, a burnt spread 12.3m by 8.5m was encountered. The spread was bisected by a drain 4m wide, which resulted in burnt stone and charcoal fragments being revealed in the section face.
The excavation involved the cleaning and recording of the section faces before the manual excavation of the burnt spread. Removal of sod revealed the outline of a subcircular mound of burnt, angular stones. Concentrated areas of stones were evident in the centre of the mound and in the area to the south. Cleaning of the north-west-facing section face of the drain revealed a cut, 1.5m wide and 0.9m deep, the base of which was partly lined with timbers. A wattle screen, supported by two narrow wooden uprights, formed the sides of the cut. Very little of the wattle survived, but its presence was identified by the imprint on the sides of the cut. Where the wattle survived, it was found to consist of intertwined hazel rods.
No artefacts of archaeological significance were encountered during the excavations.
Ballydavid South, Athenry, Co. Galway
