2005:127 - MULLAGH, Cavan

Monitoring, testing and excavation took place on the site of a proposed residential development at Mullagh, Co. Cavan. This site contained a cemetery, enclosed by a large curving ditch, and also contained a potential structure to the south. Given the proximity of the church site (SMR 44:18(01)), the site of an ogham stone (SMR 44:18(02)) and well site (SMR 44:19), together with the outline of the enclosure on the OS map, it is likely the site represented part of an early medieval ecclesiastical enclosure with associated burial ground.
The curving enclosure ditch measured c. 3.2m in width to a depth of 1.2m and had a variety of fills. Four sections of this ditch were excavated. Finds included a large amount of slag, a possible furnace bottom and two tuyère fragments. A possible entrance was identified to the east, which had been backfilled and supported with a stone retaining wall or revetment.
A total of twenty-eight burials and twelve possible burials were exposed within the cemetery. They were in poor condition and very badly decayed, and in most cases only fragmentary remains of the skeleton were exposed. Three body sherds of early medieval pottery were recovered from Burial 17.
Following consultation with the National Monuments Section of the DOEHLG, it was agreed with the developer that the burials would be preserved in situ beneath a covering of terram and topsoil, and that the area would be maintained as a green area.
An additional assessment was carried out to determine the further archaeological potential of the interior of the site. Fourteen test-trenches were excavated and a number of spreads were exposed. A copper alloy stick pin was recovered from a spread in Trench 20.
Monitoring was also carried out of a proposed pumping station, turning circle and service trench, but no further archaeological features were exposed.