2006:779 - COOLAGH, Galway

Archaeological excavation took place at Coolagh as part of the proposed N6 Galway to Ballinasloe scheme, Contract 1 (Doughiska to Ballygarraun South), on behalf of Galway County Council and the National Roads Authority.

The most prominent feature uncovered during testing and subsequent excavation was the remains of what may be termed the oval-shaped enclosing stone wall of an enclosure. This wall was primarily composed of the partial remains of two complementary rows of kerbstones. The evidence of the remaining kerbstones indicates that they were laid end to end, thus forming the interior and exterior façades of the enclosing wall. The area between the exterior and interior facades was filled with stones. Finally, stone collapse (no doubt derived from the enclosing stone wall) was uncovered both interior and exterior to the wall itself. These walls were simply constructed over a layer of silty clay and in turn over the limestone bedrock. No foundation trench was utilised in the construction.

The remains of the enclosure measured c. 53.5m east–west by 60.2m externally (internal measurement 48.2m east–west by 55m). The external width of the enclosing wall (that is, inclusive of kerbstones) varies from a maximum of 2.6m to a minimum of 2.1m, while the internal width of the enclosing wall (exclusive of the kerbstones) measures from a maximum of 1.8m to a minimum of 1m. A large curving outer annexe wall is visible within the dense ash and hazel growth to the south (lying outside the area covered by the compulsory purchase order). This is constructed in a similar vein to the main enclosure walls and meets the enclosure at its southern midpoint, curving off in an easterly direction.

An entrance was located on the eastern side of the enclosure, where a series of flat limestones were laid across it. A square-cut and round-cut post-hole was identified on either side of the entrance, possibly indicating some form of gateway or structure.

Within the enclosure were the remains of the stone foundations of an oval-shaped structure. These were uncovered immediately to the east of the enclosing wall and were composed of a series of large stones placed end to end. The foundations formed a raised area within the enclosure and measured c. 6.75m (east/west axis) by 6m by 0.95–1.3m in width. The walls were only 2–3 courses high (0.3–0.45m) and contained a rubble infill. An entrance was identified on the eastern side that had later been blocked up. It measured 1.7m in length and was 0.6m wide. This structure was situated on a slight raised knoll of limestone bedrock. No additional features were identified within the structure. There was no evidence for a hearth or series of post-holes, with only occasional animal bone and charcoal recovered. No foundation cut was evident for the structure, which was constructed directly on a layer of soil and in turn over bedrock.

Two small possible limekilns were identified, also within the western half of the enclosure and also situated on a slight raised knoll of bedrock. The first was c. 7.5m south-east of the oval enclosure. It had a rounded shape with three possible openings/flues (north-east, south-east, north-west), possibly allowing two to be blocked up depending on the prevailing wind. The internal bowl measured 1.6m north–south by 1.65m. There was a severe amount of collapse from the walls on the interior and exterior. The walls were 1–2 courses high (0.3m) and 0.9m wide. The fill of the interior (charcoal black silt and lime and mortar remnants) was also evident on the exterior, where it appeared to have been raked out through the openings. A series of finds were recorded outside the eastern entrances, including two polishing stones, miscellaneous metal objects and a red bead.

The second smaller kiln was located c. 5.9m to the south and was almost identical. The internal bowl measured 1.05m north–south by 1.2m. It too was constructed of limestone over bedrock and had walls of 1–2 courses remaining, 0.2–0.3m high and 0.8–0.9m wide. It also had three openings/flues in the east, south and north-west, with widths of 0.36–0.5m and a length of 0.7m. It too had internal and external collapse, with a similar charcoal and lime and mortar fill that seemed to have been raked out through the entrances. It is probable that these two features are of a later date than the enclosure, given their function.

No structural remains were recorded on the eastern half of the enclosure, which may indicate that this half of the site was used for the corralling of animals.

A secure date for the site has not yet been ascertained due to the lack of stratified finds. The majority of finds were retrieved from the upper layers of stratigraphy. These included flint and chert flakes, two fragments of a lignite bracelet, a George III coin (1769), a small silver coin (possibly 13th/14th-century), a number of polishing stones, a hammerstone and a red perforated bead.

Brehon House, Kilkenny Road, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny