2004:1417 - BALLYKEAN BOG, Kilbeg, Offaly

Two sites were recorded, adjacent to one other in a drain face, by the IAWU in 2003. OF-KLG0027 was described as three closely laid roundwoods, in moderate condition, lying in a north-south orientation. OF-KLG0028 was recorded as a single brushwood situated 0.45m above OF-KLG0027. At the time of excavation, no wood was visible in the drain face, although sockets indicated its former presence. These two sites were excavated as one by means of a cutting measuring 2m by 2m. The cutting was excavated to a depth of 1.2m through moderately well-humified Sphagnum peat with frequent patches of Eriophorum. The only trace of any wood was a small stump of the brushwood from OF-KLG0028, projecting slightly into the cutting from the centre of the western baulk. No remains of OF-KLG0027 were discovered. Since virtually nothing of these sites remained, very little can be said by way of interpretation. These two sites form part of a cluster of sightings of brushwood in this area of the bog, but it is not possible to ascribe any definite function to them from the information currently available.