County: Clare Site name: KILLULLA (Sites AR27A–C)
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 00E0488
Author: Donald Murphy, Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd.
Site type: Excavation - miscellaneous
Period/Dating: Modern (AD 1750-AD 2000)
ITM: E 540173m, N 665872m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.740619, -8.885978
An assessment was carried out on 25 July 2000 on three sites identified as having archaeological potential in an EIS prepared for the Ballycasey to Dromoland Road Improvement Scheme. The sites were located in the townland of Killulla, Co. Clare, and were designated as Sites AR27a (limestone arranged in groups), AR27b (surface feature) and AR27c (burnt earth).
Site AR27a was identified as a slightly curved line of large recumbent blocks of limestone measuring 30m in length. These were not visible when the assessment was carried out. Three trenches excavated by machine within the fenced-off area failed to reveal any archaeological stratigraphy below the sod and topsoil, and the only find recovered was an old lead pencil. The limestone blocks probably represented modern field clearance.
Site AR27b was identified as a surface feature (no further details available) and was fenced off for protection. Three trenches excavated by machine in the highlighted area failed to reveal any evidence of archaeological stratigraphy below the sod and topsoil.
Site AR27c was identified as an area of burnt earth, which was exposed following the stripping of topsoil for a trial embankment. Testing was recommended to establish the nature and date of the deposit. This area was stripped by mechanical excavator, and the exposed surface was cleaned by hand. An area measuring 4.6m by 2.6m of very loose brown loam containing charcoal and animal bone was exposed cut into the natural subsoil. It represented the upper fill of a pit and upon excavation was found to measure 0.2m in depth and lay above a 1m-thick deposit of loose rounded stone. The entire fill of the pit suggests that the feature represents a soakhole that is of relatively modern date.
No further archaeological investigation of these three sites is required. Monitoring of the road scheme should be sufficient to identify any further features of archaeological potential in the vicinity.
15 Trinity Street, Drogheda, Co. Louth
