2005:1440 - KILFEAKLE, Tipperary

Pre-construction testing of a housing development 100m west of the medieval church at Kilfeakle revealed two areas of archaeological interest in the southern part of the site which would be impacted upon by the works. A charcoal-rich spread and a subcircular pit containing charred plant remains were identified beneath one proposed house site and a c. 3m-wide linear feature extending north–south was identified beneath another. Both areas were topsoil-stripped for further examination.
In Area 1, several other features were uncovered, including the foundation trench of a circular structure, 5m in diameter, several pits and a linear field ditch running north-east/south-west. Several modern plough furrows also crossed the site. Three of the pits were identified as tree-root boles, but four others were associated with agricultural activity. These pits, together with the circular structure and field drain, appear to have been part of a farmyard, and pottery retrieved during the excavation suggests that these features date from the 13th/14th century.
In Area 2, the linear feature was excavated to reveal a V-shaped defensive ditch, extending to c. 1.7m below ground level. Pottery retrieved from the lower fill of the ditch was dated to the 13th century. Six post-holes were revealed close to the east edge of the ditch, averaging c. 1.6m apart, indicating an internal palisade. The ditch was also tracked c. 20m further north during monitoring of the access road, where it was covered with a protective layer of geotextile and preserved in situ. The surface indications of the ditch line can also be seen in the adjoining field to the south.