2005:1404 - CAHERABBEY UPPER/LISSAVA/COOLACLAMPER/RAHEEN/CLONMORE SOUTH/CLONMORE NORTH/WHITECHURCH/TINCURRY/POULACULLEARE/SCARTNAGLORANE, Tipperary

Testing was carried out along the proposed route of the N8 Cashel–Mitchelstown improvement scheme. A total of 23.3km of the proposed 41km route was available for advance archaeological investigation. For the purposes of assessment, the route was divided into four sections. This entry details the results of testing of a 6.1km stretch of the proposed road, which ran in a southwards direction from Cahir. Further testing along the route was carried out under separate licences by Kara Ward, Melanie McQuade and Colm Moriarty (see Nos 1403, 05E0875, 1456, 05E0876 and 1413, 05E0877, Excavations 2005). Twelve sites of archaeological potential, listed below, were identified along this section of the route.

Site 104.1, Caherabbey Upper
Post-holes, pits
203868 125559
This was a series of post-holes and small pits located at the base of a south-east-facing slope adjacent to the eastern and southern field boundaries in an area measuring 10m (north-west/south-east) by 6m. Nine post-holes in total were identified, varying in diameter between 0.15m and 0.3m. They are likely to be prehistoric in date.

Site 103.1, Caherabbey Upper
Burnt mound
203710 125433
This burnt mound was located in low-lying, flat pastureland, consisting of fire-cracked stone within a silty sand deposit. It measured 16m (north-east/south-west) by 14m1. The full width of this mound was not exposed, as it continued south-east beyond the line of the road-take. A shallow pit measuring 0.5m in diameter was located c. 5m from the south-western extent of the mound and was filled with material similar to the burnt mound.

Site 99.1, Lissava
Mound
203315 125167
This mound was located in a low-lying scrub field, consisting of fire-cracked stone within a silty sand deposit. It measured 8m (north–south) by 6.5m and was quite truncated and disturbed. This site was located in the same field as, and c. 120m to the south-west of, Site 99.2 (see below).

Site 99.2, Lissava
Burnt mound
206813 137444
This burnt mound was located in a low-lying scrub field. The mound measured 3m (north–south) by 2m and appeared to be very truncated. Two shallow pits were located c. 2m to the north and measured c. 0.3m in diameter. This feature is likely to be prehistoric in date.

Site 99.3, Lissava
Burnt mound
203155 124983
This burnt mound was located immediately south-west of a shallow, almost dry stream, which formed the boundary of this field. The mound overlay silty alluvial deposits. It measured c. 30m (north-east/south-west) by 15m. The full width of this site could not be exposed, as it continued north-west beyond the line of the road-take. It is likely to be prehistoric in date.

Site 99.4, Lissava
Burnt mounds
203014 124737, 203047 124778
These two burnt mounds were located c. 45m apart. The location of these sites was of interest, as Mound 2 was located on the south-eastern slope of a natural bowl-shaped depression. The alluvial deposits noted within this area could indicate that this depression may have been a pond. Mound 1 was located at the north-eastern extent of the field adjacent to the eastern field boundary. It measured 7m (north-east/south-west) long by 6m. Mound 2 was better preserved and measured 8m (north-east/south-west) by 7m. A maximum depth of 0.15m was recorded in section. They are likely to be prehistoric in date.

Site 92.1, Raheen
Hut site?
202521 124218
This possible hut site and associated features was located in low-lying pasture ground on a slight south-east facing slope in an area measuring 12m (north-east/south-west) by 6m. The site presented as a narrow (0.3–0.4m wide) circular slot-trench enclosing an area c. 2.6m in diameter. It is likely to be prehistoric in date.

Site 92.2, Raheen
Burnt mound
202474 124168, 202460 124139
This burnt mound and associated pit were located in low-lying pastureland towards the base of a gradual south-east-facing slope. The burnt mound measured 8m (north–south) by 7m. A narrow section was excavated by hand through a portion of the mound and a maximum depth of 0.2m was recorded. A small pit, measuring 0.5m in diameter, was recorded in a parallel offset 30m to the west. It was filled with fire-cracked stone and is likely to be associated with the burnt mound. This site was located c. 70m south-east of Site 92.1. It is likely that both of these sites are associated.

Site 92.3, Clonmore North
Burnt mound
This burnt mound and associated pit was located along the slope of a gradual south-east-facing hill. A small stream was located c. 30m to the east. The mound measured 7m (north–south) by 8m1.

Site 82.1, Tincurry
Pits
200626 123082
Three pits identified along the gradient of a south-east-facing slope in an area measuring 12m (north–south) by 6m. This slope levelled to a plateau (beyond the road-take), which had extensive views westwards to the Knockmealdown Mountains. Pit 1 measured 1.4m (north–south) by 1.1m and was 0.6m deep. Pit 2, located 1m to the north of Pit 1, measured 0.9m (east–west) by 0.6m. Pit 3, located 1.5m to the west of Pit 2, measured 0.8m in diameter.

Site 82.2, Tincurry
Pits
200511 123042
These two pits were located near the top of a south-east-facing slope in an area measuring 10m (north–south) by 10m. The pits were oval in plan. Pit 1 measured 1.4m in length (east–west) by 0.6m. Pit 2 measured 1m (north–south) by 0.7m. Burning in situ was noted around the edges of each pit and these features could be the remains of hearth features.

Site 82.3, Tincurry
Pit, post-hole
200531 122977
This site was located at the base of a south-east-facing slope in an area measuring 8m (east–west) by 8m. One pit and one post-hole were identified in this area. The pit measured 0.7m in diameter.

Excavation of these sites is expected to commence in 2006.

27 Merrion Square, Dublin 2