2002:1294 - BALRIGGAN, Louth

Testing was undertaken at Site 13(2) of Section 1 of the Dundalk Western Bypass, Co. Louth. Site 13(2) may be the fort mentioned by F.W. Stubbs (1908) as being destroyed in the 1840s. It was situated at the top of a drumlin on rising ground above the proposed route. The site showed no indication of a fosse. The interior surface, which was flattened, defined an area c. 35m in diameter internally and more than 50m externally. The western and northern perimeters had been removed, but slight curvature in the land surface traced their subsurface remains. The surrounding land sloped gently away from the site in these areas.

Thirteen trenches were excavated across the site, revealing features and deposits of possible medieval date. The main concentration of archaeology was confined to the south of the site, defined by the limits of a curvilinear ditch, which enclosed a raised platform measuring c. 25m by 25m. Few internal features were uncovered in this area; no structural evidence was found in the trenches. Two further, less substantial ditches were uncovered outside the main enclosing ditch. This defined the overall area of archaeology as measuring c. 40m by 40m. Two sherds of medieval pottery, one from the upper fill of the ditch in Trench 2 and one from a shallow spread in Trench 1, suggest a medieval date for this site.

There was evidence of disturbance or possible landscaping throughout the northern and north-eastern parts of the site: the presence of deposits of a mixed layer of redeposited natural and dark brown, sandy clays and the lack of archaeological remains in these areas.

Further disturbance was noted to the east of the site in the form of a possible large cut filled with loose stones to a depth of over 1m below present ground level. This was interpreted as a possible area of quarrying.

Reference
Stubbs, F.W. 1908 Place names of County Louth. County Louth Archaeological and Historical Journal 2, 36.

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