County: Kerry Site name: COOMNAHORNA EAST
Sites and Monuments Record No.: KE106–131 Licence number: 05E1237 ext.
Author: Frank Coyne, Aegis Archaeology Ltd.
Site type: Standing stone
Period/Dating: Undetermined
ITM: E 455413m, N 560983m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 51.782440, -10.095631
A limited excavation was undertaken, at Coomnahorna East, Caherdaniel, after a standing stone had been negatively impacted on during construction works. These groundworks were undertaken at the site without archaeological supervision and the standing stone was left in a prone position, with the surrounding topsoil largely removed. As a result, the Kerry County Archaeologist in agreement with the National Monuments Section recommended that the remaining mound of soil beneath and around the standing stone be fully excavated and that the standing stone be removed from its current location and re-erected at the southern end of the site, away from any structures or excavations.
The socket of the standing stone was excavated, but no archaeological material was recovered. This socket had a maximum length of 1.2m from east to west and a maximum width of 1m. It contained a mid-brownish-grey sandy silt, a moderate amount of small stones and occasional medium-sized packing stones.
The stone was lifted using a track machine and sling. Timbers were placed under the stone to protect it when it was being lifted. A sling/harness was then placed around the stone and it was carried to its new location. This new location is to the south of the area of development in a grassy field. It can be seen from a nearby stone pair (KE106–023).
32 Nicholas Street, King’s Island, Limerick
