County: Laois Site name: CAPPALOUGHLIN (6)
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: A015/152, E2257
Author: Tara O’Neill, Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd.
Site type: Fulacht fia
Period/Dating: Undetermined
ITM: E 637617m, N 690215m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.961389, -7.440087
This site was excavated in June 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.
It comprised two fulachta fiadh located c. 40m apart. The first, in Area 1, comprised thin spreads of heat-shattered stones overlying two pits. The first pit was subcircular in shape and measured 1.9m by 1.5m by 0.17m in depth. It was filled with layers of silt, heat-shattered sandstone, charcoal and clay. The second pit cut was oval in shape and measured 1.2m by 1.23m by 0.69m in depth. It was filled with layers of clay, heat-shattered sandstone, peat and silty sand.
Area 2 comprised two thin spreads of charcoal and heat-shattered sandstone beneath which lay five pits. Pit 1 was sub-oval in shape and measured 1.49m by 1.14m by 0.35m in depth. It was filled with layers of charcoal, heat-shattered sandstone and clay. Pit 2 was subcircular in shape and measured 1m by 0.97m by 0.25m in depth. It was filled with layers of heat-shattered sandstone and charcoal. Pit 3 was circular in shape and measured 1.67m by 1.7m by 0.48m in depth. It was filled with heat-shattered sandstone. Pit 4 was a sub-oval cut and measured 2.87m by 1.89m by 0.64 in depth. It was filled with layers of peat containing occasional heat-shattered sandstone. Pit 5 was subcircular in plan and measured 3.64m by 3.28m by 0.72m in depth. It was filled with silt, peat and heat-shattered sandstone.
Samples from this site are currently undergoing analysis.
Unit 21, Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co. Louth
