County: Laois Site name: BALLYCUDDAHY (1)
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: A015/166, E2425
Author: Tara O’Neill, Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd.
Site type: Fulacht fia
Period/Dating: Undetermined
ITM: E 635021m, N 685999m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.923674, -7.479187
This site was excavated in September 2006 as part of the programme of resolution of archaeological sites on the route of the proposed M7 Portlaoise to Castletown/M8 Portlaoise to Cullahill motorway scheme. The work was carried out on behalf of Laois County Council and the National Roads Authority.
This site consisted of a fulacht fiadh with three troughs. A thin spread of heat-shattered stone sporadically covered the area. The first trough was oval in shape and measured 1.14m by 1.75m by 0.13m in depth. It was filled with charcoal-rich heat-shattered sandstone. The second trough was rectangular in shape and measured 1.75m by 2.25m by 0.44m in depth. It was filled with clay and charcoal-rich heat-shattered sandstone. The third trough was subcircular in shape and measured 1.05m by 0.86m 0.3m in depth. It was filled with clay and charcoal-rich heat-shattered sandstone.
Samples from this site are currently undergoing analysis.
Unit 21, Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co. Louth
