2005:1276 - LISMAGUNSHIN, Monaghan

It is proposed to realign the existing N2 between Clontibret and Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan. The scheme will commence at the existing N2 c. 1km to the north of Clontibret and run to the Tullyvin interchange, c. 1.5km to the south of Castleblayney, and will also include ancillary road junctions and other structures. The overall length of the scheme is 15.353km. Test-trenching began at the site on 20 April and was completed on 22 April 2005. This was carried out by a combination of hand testing and using one 13-tonne machine, equipped with a 1.8m wide toothless bucket. Five test-trenches were opened across the site.
Located on undulating high ground, the remains of one ringfort are located within the proposed road-take. The remains of this ringfort, estimated to be c. 30m in diameter, survive at the corner of a field and have been partly incorporated into field boundaries that divide the area between three fields. On the northern side a raised area is visible and a drop in level from this raised area was thought to represent the remains of a bank. There is no surface trace of the remainder of the site, which has been completely ploughed out.
The only feature of archaeological potential found was a charcoal-rich deposit within the interior of the site. There was no sign of a ditch uncovered in any of the trenches and what was thought to be the remains of a bank on the north side of the site does not appear to be so. A small portion of intact bank may survive incorporated into the field boundary on the west side of the site. There is quite a lot of stone incorporated into the field boundaries dividing the site at the top of the hill, and it is possible that the enclosing element of this site was constructed out of stone. It would appear that this site may in fact be the remains of a cashel, the stone equivalent of the earthen ringfort. Resolution of this site is to take place in 2006.