County: Laois Site name: BUSHFIELD OR MAGHERNASKEAGH/KILCOTTON
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: A015/032
Author: Lydia Cagney, for Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd.
Site type: Kiln or Charcoal-making site
Period/Dating: Multi-period
ITM: E 629220m, N 685516m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.919681, -7.565493
Testing along one section of the planned M7/M8 Portlaoise–Castletown and Portlaoise–Cullahill motorway scheme, Co. Laois, was undertaken on behalf of Laois County Council and the National Roads Authority. The work was carried out between 14 March and 13 April 2005. Testing Area 5 was one of the areas designated to be investigated within Contract 2 (Coolfin to Derrinsallagh and Townparks) and is situated in the townlands of Kilcotton and Bushfield or Maghernaskeagh. This Testing Area was subdivided into five fields. Five archaeological sites were identified in Testing Area 5. These were designated Bushfield or Maghernaskeagh (2–5) and Kilcotton 1.
A spread of burnt and broken stones overlying a post-hole represented the archaeological remains uncovered at Bushfield or Maghernaskeagh 2. This was consistent with burnt-mound or associated industrial activity. A pit and a spread of burnt stones (Bushfield or Maghernaskeagh 3) were exposed within an adjacent field. The pit contained fragments of cremated bone and charcoal at its surface, while a number of burnt spreads associated with burnt-mound activity were identified within the same field and were designated Bushfield or Maghernaskeagh 4 and 5.
The remains uncovered at Kilcotton 1 in Field 556 consisted of twelve large roughly circular pits surrounded by charcoal and oxidised clay; some examples contained a linear cut extending from their sides. It is suggested that these may be the remains of earth-cut kilns, bowl furnaces and/or charcoal manufacturing kilns that may have been associated with an enclosure one field to the east of this one.
Unit 21, Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co. Louth
