2005:077 - BUSHERSTOWN, Carlow

This report deals with the results of testing of Area 2 of Archaeological Services Contract 3, N9/N10 Kilcullen to Waterford Scheme: Kilcullen to Powerstown. Area 2 ran from Russellstown to Moyle Big townlands. Fourteen areas of archaeological significance were identified (Sites 1–14: A021/016–29, see Nos 54 and 70–76 above and Nos 78 and 97–100 below). Further evidence for Bronze Age activity in the area was uncovered at this site at Busherstown, c. 70m south of A021/026 (see No. 76 above). Remains at this site comprised features associated with two fulachta fiadh and a circular pit of unknown function. Troughs were located in offset trenches c. 50m apart at both the north-east and north-west corners of the field. One fulacht fiadh spread comprised a deposit of dark-brown/black sandy clay with frequent charcoal and heat-shattered stones, 3.1m east–west by 1.7m. Sample excavation of the feature revealed steeply sloping sides, implying that the deposit comprised the fill of a substantial cut, possibly originally the trough of a fulacht fiadh. A circular feature, 0.5m in diameter, was exposed c. 1.7m north of this trough. This was filled by material similar to that of the trough and it possibly comprised a smaller trough or pit associated with the feature. Another fulacht fiadh trough was located in the north-east corner of the field. This was broadly circular in shape and 1.2m in diameter.
A circular pit was excavated c. 40m south of the fulachta fiadh material. This feature was 0.6m in diameter with a charcoal-rich dark-brown sandy clay fill. Sample excavation of the feature exposed steeply sloping edges and a potential depth of 0.4m. No artefacts were recovered from the pit.