County: Laois Site name: Trumra
Sites and Monuments Record No.: - Licence number: A015/045, E2160
Author: Deirdre Murphy, Archaeological Consultancy Services Ltd, Unit 21, Boyne Business Park, Greenhills, Drogheda, Co. Louth.
Site type: Assessment
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 639844m, N 694034m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.995551, -7.406479
This area, known as Contract 3, Testing Area 4, was tested in February 2006 as part of the programme of additional archaeological assessment of the proposed M7 Portlaoise to Castletown/M8 Portlaoise to Cullahill motorway sceme. The work was carried out on behalf of Laois County Council and the National Roads Authority. The initial assessment of Testing Area 4 was carried out in April 2005 by Linda Clarke.
The additional assessment involved mechanical excavation of 51 test-trenches with a combined length of 1627m, resulting in a total excavated area of c. 3254m2. The additional assessment of Testing Area 4 consisted of four fields in Plot 230.
Three archaeological sites were identified. These were designated Trumra 2–4. Trumra 2 (Field 334) consisted of two sets of parallel double ditches spaced over 30m apart. The ditches were c. 1.5m in width and 0.7m in depth. There are several spreads, pits and linear features located between these ditches. Trumra 3 (Field 333) consisted of two pits and four spreads containing burnt-mound material. Trumra 4 (Field 330) consisted of a semicircular ditch, 2m in width and 0.75m in depth, which extended into the western part of the field. This area could not be assessed due to the presence of otters in the western boundary of the field and a subsequent exclusion zone. Excavation of these sites will be undertaken as part of the resolution programme on this scheme (see Nos 1193–5 below).
