County: Laois Site name: CLONBOYNE
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 06E1087
Author: Mary Henry, Mary Henry Archaeological Services Ltd.
Site type: Fulacht fia
Period/Dating: Undetermined
ITM: E 644162m, N 696596m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.018241, -7.341810
An excavation was undertaken in Clonboyne townland, which is situated 2km to the south-west of Portlaoise. A fulacht fiadh was found during the monitoring of groundworks for the construction of a train locomotive maintenance depot.
The fulacht fiadh was located in an area of topographically mainly flat land, although midway down a slight slope aligned south–north. The lack of length on the present slope indicated only enough water could be utilised after particularly heavy rainfall. Therefore, it is possible that a subterranean spring was located in relatively close proximity. The discovery of a well during the initial monitoring of the development indicates some evidence for relatively easily sourced water. It became apparent during early site investigations that much of the original burnt mound had been removed. There had been no visible indication of the presence of the fulacht prior to stripping, due to the extensive ploughing carried out in the immediate vicinity of the feature, in conjunction with other agricultural practices.
The extent of the in situ mound was small by comparison to the volume of material scattered around the site. Excavations revealed a trough cut extending into the natural clays. There was no evidence to suggest it had been lined with timber planks or stone slabs. Furthermore, no stake-holes associated with either wickerwork or flat planks were found at the base of the trough cut. It is likely that, if a basket was originally present, it was removed when the trough became obsolete. No evidence of a hearth was found in the vicinity of the feature. The paucity of finds from this site, and from fulachta fiadh in general, cannot always be attributed to preservation conditions. The total lack of animal bone and preparation tools such as metal or flints blades is noteworthy and the presence or absence of such items is not subject to preservation conditions.
The presence of a recut within the original trough proved perplexing. It appeared to be floating, with no distinct purpose, within the stratigraphy of the overall structure of this fulacht; apart from its fill, it has no apparent relationship with any other context.
17 Staunton Row, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary
