2002:1159 - DOLLAS LOWER (BGE 3/67/5), Limerick

This site was examined as part of Bord Gáis Éireann’s Pipeline to the West. A group of four subcircular features was identified during monitoring on a steep, west-facing slope and was excavated within an area of 23m2. These features were two pits, a post-hole and a bowl furnace, which appeared to relate to the same phase of activity.

The bowl furnace, which measured 0.4m by 0.32m and was 0.3m deep, contained three fills. The primary fill produced debris from the smelting process, including charcoal and moderate amounts of iron slag. An area of oxidised natural clay, both within and beyond the limit of the feature, indicated in situ burning.

The two pits had charcoal-rich fills, although neither showed evidence of in situ burning. The larger pit measured 0.95m by 0.85m and was 0.26m deep. Two fills were identified, the primary fill containing metal slag and a quantity of white shell fragments. The secondary fill produced metal slag and charcoal. It would not be unreasonable to assume that this pit had been used for the waste material from the bowl furnace, given the proximity of these features and the similar deposits they contained. The smaller pit measured 0.46m by 0.26m and was 0.05m deep; it contained no slag or other artefactual material.

The nearby post-hole was also filled with a deposit containing a quantity of metal slag and frequent charcoal.

The presence of the bowl furnace, showing evidence of in situ burning, together with the large quantity of metal slag recovered from the site, suggests an area used for metal production, probably ironworking. In the absence of immediately datable artefacts, it is not possible to determine the period of use for the site. It is anticipated that radiocarbon determinations from the charcoal, along with analysis of the slag itself, will provide a date for the activity.

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