County: Clare Site name: DARRAGH SOUTH
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 01E0550
Author: Michael Connolly, Ægis Archaeology Ltd.
Site type: Burnt spread and Pit
Period/Dating: Undetermined
ITM: E 528465m, N 671740m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.791927, -9.060606
During the course of monitoring of the topsoil-stripping of an access road and compound area for a telecommunications mast at Darragh South, Co. Clare, four separate features were noted in an area of gently rising ground between a marshy area at the south and a drumlin hill to the north. The features were subsequently excavated.
The most southerly feature uncovered was a spread of fire-shattered stone, black soil and charcoal running out from the field boundary forming the eastern side of the road-take at this point. The spread appeared to measure 3.2m north–south by 2m and was 0.4m in depth.
At a distance of 4m north of this spread a small circular pit, close to the western edge of the road, was uncovered. It measured 0.65m in diameter.
The third feature was 4.3m further north and consisted of a linear spread of fibrous peat 0.8m wide and 2.16m long (east–west).
The final feature was 14m further north, close to the base of the drumlin hill, and consisted of a spread of fire-shattered stone, black soil and charcoal, extending from the western edge of the road-take. It measured 5m north–south by 2.7m and was 0.45m in depth.
Excavation showed the circular pit to be shallow, 0.25m deep, and filled with burnt material and shattered stone, while the linear feature was 1m in width and filled to a depth of 0.45m with a grey marl clay with charcoal flecking.
Both the burnt spreads extend outside the road line so only part of them has been excavated. No evidence for a trough was found in either case.
16 Avondale Court, Corbally, Limerick
