2002:0073 - BALLAGHFADDA WEST, Clare

Topsoil-stripping on Bord Gáis Éireann’s Pipeline to the West has uncovered a circular enclosure in Ballaghfadda West townland, Co. Clare. The original monitoring report of the site identified it as being simply a series of curvilinear ditches with a possible pit. After the site had been fully cleaned by hand, a well-defined circular ditch was exposed. The south-eastern area of the site (roughly 40% of the site) had been negatively affected by Bord Gáis Éireann haul- road activity before the excavation began.

This circular ditch measured 11m east–west (estimated) by 15m, with a maximum width of 0.53m and maximum depth of 0.35m. The extent in the south-eastern area of the site is unknown owing to the limit of excavation, but it is more than probable that the enclosure was originally circular. The enclosing ditch was a well-defined U-shaped cut with steep sides and a generally flat base. An entrance was encountered in the southern area of the ditch, with a possible second entrance directly opposite at the north-eastern perimeter. The upper fills varied marginally but were generally a yellow/brown silty clay with moderate inclusions of stones and occasional flecks of charcoal throughout. The lowest fill was a dark brown, silty clay with minor inclusions of charcoal throughout the base.

Within the enclosure were numerous pits, post-holes, stake-holes and linear features. Two large pits were adjacent to each other in the western area of the site, the larger measuring 1.63m north–south by 1.02m with a maximum depth of 0.35m. These features contained minor inclusions of charcoal, burnt bone and burnt clay and were seen as possible refuse pits.

Several other, irregularly shaped pits were found within the enclosure, although their purpose remains unknown. Possible post-holes were revealed within the enclosure, the largest measuring 0.5m north–south by 0.3m. A number were positioned in a semi-concentric ring within the northern half of the enclosure. The possibility arises that these were for support posts for a structure. However, the post-holes were not evenly spread out and do not form a continuous circle. No hearth or further features indicative of a structure were identified.

Two parallel linear features ran east–west through the middle of the site from the western edge of the enclosure. These features contained post-medieval/modern finds. They are of a much later date than the original site and are not associated with it. Apart from one small chert scraper and a flake, no datable finds were recovered. This site is interpreted as a circular enclosure with numerous associated features, most probably of prehistoric date.

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