2001:1092 - CLONAD BOG, Clonad/Rathfeston, Offaly

Clonad Bog was surveyed as part of the Peatland Survey 2001 on behalf of Dúchas. It is situated south-south-west of Daingean and south-west of Geashill. It is in commercial milled peat production operated by Bord na Móna and covers 411ha. A single togher (SMR 18:16) was known from the bog prior to the survey. A total of 41 sites, including the above togher, were recorded during the course of the survey. These include fifteen toghers, four of which are substantial structures. In addition, there are nineteen deposits of worked wood, three of unworked wood and an archaeological complex. Ten sites are located along the line of the already known togher, which runs north-east/south-west from dryland to a sub-peat gravel ridge and has been dated to the late Bronze Age. East of this is the largest concentration of sites in the bog, including three substantial toghers, dating from the late Bronze Age/Iron Age, and the archaeological complex, which dates from the early Bronze Age.

Two ex situ artefacts were retrieved during the course of the survey, while a third possible artefact was left in situ. The first of these is a quernstone fragment from a disturbed context on the field surface. The second is a small fragment of leather, also from a disturbed context. The third possible artefact was recorded within the early Bronze Age archaeological complex. It appears to have a concave finished surface with a possible lip along one edge. It is situated 0.27m below the field surface and extends back into the section face.

Department of Archaeology, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4