2004:0925 - RATHPATRICK, Kilkenny

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. Investigations at Sites 40 and 44 in the townland of Rathpatrick, Co. Kilkenny, were undertaken as part of pre-construction investigations of the N25 Waterford bypass. The work followed the identification of several possible archaeological features during Contract 2 testing by Emmet Stafford in 2003 (Excavations 2003, No. 1042, 03E0523).

An area of 1993m2 was stripped of topsoil and a spread of heat-affected stone and ash was exposed. The material was interpreted as the remains of a fulacht fiadh with surviving dimensions of c. 30m north-south by c. 25m. The mound is thought to have extended beyond the southern limit of excavation, but its survival at that location is not under threat by the proposed development. Mound material was hand-excavated in quadrants to a maximum depth of 0.7m.

Six relatively large negative features were identified beneath the mound material. These features were found to contain fills rich in charcoal and heat-affected stone and were consequently interpreted as troughs associated with the fulacht fiadh. Traces of timber were recorded in the base of two of the troughs and this may indicate the original presence of an internal wooden lining. A number of smaller, trough-like features were also uncovered, along with a pit containing evidence of in situ burning and three hearths.

The largest excavated feature comprised a subcircular cut into subsoil approximately in the centre of the mound. This measured 5m in diameter at its widest point and a line of regularly spaced stake-holes (c. 0.3m apart) was located along the base of the cut at its internal edge. On its south-eastern side a lower section of the feature's edge led to a circular trough. Together, these features have been provisionally interpreted as the remains of a sweathouse. A later ditched field boundary cut the western edge of the fulacht fiadh.

With the exception of some small flint flakes, no artefacts were recovered from the mound or related features and the site is not closely dated. Environmental samples were taken from the features and mound material. It is thought that charcoal from these will be suitable for radiocarbon dating.

A second fulacht fiadh (Site 44) was excavated c. 180m north-east of the above. Here an area of 879m2 (including two additional test-trenches) was stripped of topsoil and a spread of heat-affected stone and ash was exposed. The material was interpreted as the remains of a fulacht fiadh, with surviving dimensions of c. 13m north-south by c. 5m. Mound material was hand-excavated along both sides of a central baulk to a maximum depth of 0.8m. Three relatively large negative features were identified beneath the mound material. These features were found to contain fills rich in charcoal and heat-affected stone and were consequently interpreted as troughs associated with the fulacht fiadh.

Several other features associated with the fulacht fiadh were recorded. A number of stake-holes of varying sizes were recorded at both corners on the southern edge of one trough. Two probable pits were also excavated. A later boundary ditch ran north-south c. 8m west of the fulacht fiadh.

With the exception of one small flint flake, recovered from the extreme north-east of the mound, no artefacts were recovered from the site and it is not closely dated. Environmental samples were taken from the features and mound material. It is thought that charcoal from these will be suitable for radiocarbon dating.

This work was undertaken under archaeological investigations Contract 3. The project is funded by the Department of Transport under the National Development Plan 2000–2006. The total archaeological cost is administered by the National Roads Authority through Waterford City Council.

Unit 4b, Europa Enterprise Park, Midleton, Co. Cork