County: Kilkenny Site name: KILLASPY
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 04E0257
Author: Linda Hegarty, Headland Archaeology Ltd.
Site type: Pit and Fulacht fia
Period/Dating: Multi-period
ITM: E 661376m, N 615305m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.285989, -7.100408
Waterford City Council proposes to construct an 18km bypass around Waterford city, with associated link roads. The route forms part of the N25 and runs from Kilmeaden in Co. Waterford to Slieverue in Co. Kilkenny. The work here was undertaken on three sites (9-11) in the townland of Killaspy, Co. Kilkenny, as part of pre-construction investigations of the N25 Waterford bypass, Contract 3. On this site, testing by Dave Pollock identified archaeological features (Excavations 2003, No. 1030, 02E0196). Full resolution was carried out in May 2004. The National Roads Authority through Waterford City Council administered the total archaeological cost.
In Site 9, following topsoil-stripping of an area measuring 480m2, five features were identified. These were irregular in plan and are probably related to modern low-intensity agricultural activity, natural anomalies and root holes.
In Site 10, following topsoil-stripping of an area measuring 418m2, three features were identified. One was filled with large stones and appeared to be a natural depression that may have been utilised during field clearance. A charcoal-filled circular pit with an oxidised clay base and a small charcoal deposit represented an episode of burning.
In Site 11, following topsoil-stripping of an area measuring 870m2, part of a fulacht fiadh was exposed. This fulacht fiadh comprised a burnt mound overlying two troughs, one small pit, three stake-holes and a cobbled surface. A curvilinear ditch partially surrounded the fulacht fiadh but was of post-medieval date. Three rubble drains truncated the site. One of the troughs was only partially excavated, as the CPO line cut across the centre of the mound. The base of this trough was bedrock. The fill was the mound material of heat-shattered stone and charcoal, with an upper layer of compact grey claythat was formed as a result of waterlogging in the hollow. Three stake-holes were located on its northern edge. A surface of small cobbles led to the trough. A second trough, roughly circular in plan, cut the cobblestone surface. This trough was shallow and was filled by compact grey silty clay.
An area adjacent to Site 11 was cleared of topsoil and four pits were excavated. Three of these were very similar, all circular with an average diameter of 0.92m, and had charcoal-rich fills. The fourth pit was oblong in plan. One flint nodule, a possible piece of worked chert and a fragment of post-medieval pottery were found on Site 11. Sites 9 and 10 were devoid of artefacts.
Unit 4b, Europa Business Park, Midleton, Co. Cork
