County: Longford Site name: CLOONFORE AND CORLEA EXCAVATIONS
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: —
Author: Noel Dunne, ADS Ltd.
Site type: Excavation - miscellaneous
Period/Dating: Multi-period
ITM: E 604802m, N 768020m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.661921, -7.927345
Introduction to Sites 2002:0617 to 2002:00631
Excavations were carried out in County Longford boglands in the summer of 2000 as part of a mitigation strategy designed to resolve known archaeological sites threatened by Bord na Móna milled peat production. The work was undertaken by Bord na Móna through its consultants, ADS Ltd.
The excavations followed on from an archaeological reassessment of approximately two-thirds of the Longford bogs that was undertaken during the summer of 1999, where a total of 361 archaeological sites were recorded.
Seven high-priority areas with regard to Bord na Móna production requirements were noted, and a mitigation strategy document was compiled for those areas. This document was produced by Dr Ann Lynch, Dúchas The Heritage Service, Mr Raghnall Ó Floinn, NMI, and Prof. Barry Raftery, UCD.
Excavation took place at all eight sites listed for investigation in Lough Bannow 2 bog and at all seven sites listed for Derryad bog.
The Lough Bannow 2 sites form part of a concentration of 35 features that is located immediately north of the Keenagh to Lanesborough road, in the townland of Corlea. This archaeological zone is approximately 2.5km to the west-south-west of Keenagh village and 1km north-north-west of the Corlea visitor centre. Excavation took place here between 3 July and 4 August 2000.
The Derryad sites form part of a concentration of twenty features in the north-west corner of that bog, in Cloonfore townland. This concentration is located at the rear of the Bord na Móna Mountdillon headquarters and approximately 4.5km to the east-south-east of Lanesborough village. Excavations took place here between 1 August and 1 September 2000.
Windsor House, 11 Fairview Strand, Fairview, Dublin 3
