County: Laois Site name: CLONADACASEY (4)
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: A015/158, E2261
Author: Tara O’Neill, Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd.
Site type: Fulacht fia
Period/Dating: Undetermined
ITM: E 640692m, N 694434m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.999081, -7.393785
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 one burnt-mound spread and two toughs located c. 50m apart. Area 1 of the site comprised a spread (13.75m by 17m by 0.33m in depth) of heat-shattered sandstone. Beneath the spread were a trough and a well. The well was cut into a natural spring.
The oval trough measured 2.6m by 2.24m by 0.55m in depth. It was filled with a layer of clay and heat-shattered stone. The well (3.86m by 3.78m by 1.26m in depth) was subcircular in plan with a stepped base. It was filled with layers of clay packing, organic material and heat-shattered stone.
Area 2 comprised an isolated tough, subrectangular in plan and measuring 2.17m by 1.48m by 0.46m in depth. The trough was filled with layers of peat and heat-shattered stone.
Area 3 comprised an isolated rectangular trough (1.46m by 2.27m by 0.66m in depth) filled with layers of clay packing, silt, sand and heat-shattered stone.
Samples from this site are currently undergoing analysis.
Unit 21, Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co. Louth
