County: Kilkenny Site name: KILMURRY
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 03E1097
Author: Miriam Carroll, Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd.
Site type: Fulacht fia and Enclosure
Period/Dating: Undetermined
ITM: E 664476m, N 614592m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.279227, -7.055109
Test excavations were carried out on a proposed development site at Belview, Kilmurry, Co. Kilkenny. Testing was undertaken within four areas of archaeological potential (B, C, D and L) which were identified through geophysical prospecting. Testing in Area B uncovered a burnt-mound spread and associated pits, which are likely to represent the remains of a levelled fulacht fiadh. The activity was located within an area measuring a minimum of 66m (east–west) by 16m.
Testing in Areas C and D confirmed the presence of a large circular enclosure measuring c. 50m in diameter. It was enclosed by a substantial ditch measuring 3m in width and at least 1.7m in depth. Very little evidence for activity within the enclosure was uncovered, and no artefactual remains which could suggest a date for the monument were found. Trenching in the areas immediately north and south of the enclosure revealed the presence of features likely to relate to agricultural activity.
A similar circular enclosure was detected in Area L and was also defined by a large ditch. No finds were recovered which could suggest a date for this monument.
8 Dungar Terrace, Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
