2002:1144 - CASTLEMUNGRET (BGE 4/3/2), Limerick

The site was exposed, during monitoring of topsoil-stripping along the Bord Gáis Éireann Barnakyle to Coonagh West gas pipeline (No. 1128, Excavations 2002, 02E1649), on a slight rise above bogland 230m north of BGE 4/3/1 (No. 1143, Excavations 2002, 02E1735). It was initially identified as a series of large patches of dark, charcoal-rich clay and burnt stones. The full dimensions of the site were 13m (north–south) by 7m. Excavation took place from 4 to 9 December 2002.

A number of cuts were identified in the subsoil. The largest of these was a field ditch aligned east–west, dividing the site into two halves. A wide but shallow pit-like feature, 3.3m in diameter and up to 0.22m deep, was situated on the northern side of the ditch. The fill was dark grey, charcoal-rich clay, containing numerous burnt stone fragments. There was a thin, amorphous spread of burnt stone material on the southern side of the ditch, 3.3m long (east–west), 1.8m wide and up to 0.06m thick. There were two cuts on the southern side of the ditch. One was 2m long (north–south), 1.35m wide and 0.24m deep, and the other was 1.5m long (east–west), 1.2m wide and 0.25m deep. The fill consisted of a basal layer of black, charcoal-like clay, with numerous burnt stone fragments, and an upper deposit of grey silty clay and gravel.

The ditch forming the centre of the site had an exposed length of 8m (east–west). It was 0.65m deep and typically 2.4–3.2m wide. However, there was an expansion on the southern side, increasing the width to 3.7m. The ditch was not excavated in full, as it was of relatively recent origin. It was backfilled with grey/brown, topsoil-type clay, containing brick fragments, over a primary fill of dark grey, silty clay, containing stone and animal bone.

2 Killiney View, Albert Road Lower, Glenageary, Co. Dublin