2005:1120 - FRIARSGROUND, Mayo

Excavation took place in Friarsground, Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo, in 2005 after initial preparation for a proposed ornamental pond disturbed an area of ground within the constraint area of SMR 93:63 (01–06), ecclesiastical remains (earthworks, abbey, house, burial ground, tomb and cross). Construction of this pond was part of a wider development of a public park by Mayo County Council, including a footpath, ducting and erection of lampposts for public lighting (Ballyhaunis Friary Woodland Development). Works associated with this development were being monitored by Richard Gillespie (see Excavations 2003, No. 1295, 03E1556).
The area excavated (35m north–south by 15m) was bounded to the west by a steep glacial ridge on which Ballyhaunis Augustinian abbey stands. To the east, Friarsground is bounded by a small stream running north–south. The area under investigation was almost completely desodded by machine during construction works. A mid-brown, silty topsoil survived to a depth of 0.3m, mainly in the centre and north of the site.
A shallow, steep-sided, flat-bottomed drainage ditch was found running from the ridge towards the stream, measuring 10.88m east–west by 1.63m and 0.28m deep. It ran beyond the limits of the excavation. The fill was a black, silty peat with many stones.
Occasional heat-fractured sandstone cobbles were found in the western end of this ditch fill. Excavation revealed that the ditch cut the basal remnants of an extremely disturbed fulacht fiadh, which measured 7m north–south by 4m and continues east beyond the excavation limits. Although highly disturbed, this mound survived to a depth of 0.3m along the eastern side of the excavated area.
South of the field drain which cut the site, an unlined trough/boiling pit was identified cut into natural sand at the western limit of the burnt spread. This shallow, bowl-shaped pit had a maximum width of 1.38m and depth of 0.39m. The fill consisted of charcoal-rich peat with heat-shattered sandstone pieces.
A chert scraper and two pieces of struck flint were found. Quantities of stray disarticulated animal bone and possible iron slag were encountered across the excavated area. These were distributed throughout the topsoil and underlying natural sand and were not associated with any archaeological deposits or features. It is likely that the bone is the result of modern dumping associated with meat processing in Ballyhaunis. A range of modern finds including, glass, ceramic, some nails, a horseshoe, a coin and clay-pipe fragments were also found.