County: Laois Site name: DERRINSALLAGH
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: A015/132, E2241
Author: Deirdre Murphy, Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd.
Site type: Enclosure
Period/Dating: Undetermined
ITM: E 625297m, N 685996m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.924194, -7.623792
This area, known as Road Testing Site 1, was tested between 30 August and 12 September 2005 as part of the programme of archaeological assessment of the proposed M7 Portlaoise to Castletown/M8 Portlaoise to Cullahill motorway, Contract 2. The work was carried out on behalf of Laois County Council and the National Roads Authority.
The mechanical excavation of test-trenches took place through existing roads at four separate locations in the townlands of Derrinsallagh, Boherard and Friarsland. A total of four trenches were excavated along the existing road at this location. Archaeological features were identified at this site in the townland of Derrinsallagh adjacent to an ongoing archaeological excavation site, Derrinsallagh 3, under the direction of Anne Marie-Lennon (Excavations 2005, No. 881, A015/69). An enclosing ditch, currently under excavation at this site, was identified extending under the existing road and was evident in two trenches.
No other archaeological features or deposits were identified in the test-trenches at this location.
Editor’s note: Although this licence was issued during 2005, the report on the work was not received in time for inclusion in the bulletin of that year.
Unit 21, Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co. Louth
