2006:1225 - MANORHAMILTON: Tuckmillpark and Manorhamilton, Leitrim

The soil-stripping of the greater part of the works for a large area for a hotel and several houses in Manorhamilton and Tuckmillpark townlands was monitored intermittently in late 2005. At an advanced stage of the soil-stripping a number of burnt spreads were exposed on a peninsula formed by a small river and a licence to excavate was obtained. In the days before Christmas 2005, four of these, A–C and E, were excavated (Excavations 2005, No. 944).

Burnt spread ‘D’ was dug out in July 2006. This oval spread was 0.58m north–south by 0.82m and 40–80mm in depth. Its content was entirely of charcoal. There were no stones in this spread. The bottom of the spread was slightly dished and the underlying sandy clay beneath and around was red/brown for 20mm. This spread was similar to Burnt spread A.

In consideration of a number of factors and after consultation with the National Monuments Service, it was decided to preserve the two large areas with sooty soil, F and G, in situ. These are as of now ill-defined, measure about 10m across and are close to the south side of the peninsula. To protect them, the whole surface of each was covered in a double layer of geotextile and this was rimmed with several full pine tree trunks. The interior was then filled with soil to a depth of at least 0.9m. The corner points of these two areas were marked by poles. At a later stage in the development these areas will be further covered with soil to bring their surfaces up to a level for open space within a parking area.

In between these, F and G, and those excavated in 2005 and 2006, A–E, there is an area that has not been stripped as yet, as it has a substantial pile of topsoil stored on it. Should that be moved, the area will be archaeologically examined and reported on next year. Monitoring of the overall development will continue into 2007.

Bóthar an Chorainn, Keash, Co. Sligo