County: Limerick Site name: BALLYCULLANE LOWER
Sites and Monuments Record No.: LI017–011 Licence number: 06E0980
Author: Mary Henry, Mary Henry Archaeological Services Ltd.
Site type: Enclosure
Period/Dating: Undetermined
ITM: E 509495m, N 646352m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.560953, -9.334819
Fifteen test-trenches were opened at a pig farm at Ballycullane Lower, Glin. Planning permission was sought to redevelop the site, including the demolition of sheds and building new pig houses and a feed mill. The farmyard and associated buildings are sited within an enclosure, which no longer survives aboveground. New buildings will be sited where the enclosure formerly existed.
Two notable features were found. The first, an impressive ditch aligned approximately north–south, was located at the west end of the site of the proposed weaner house and possibly the western circumference of the enclosure. Given the documentary and cartographic evidence, as well as the fact that this substantial feature is within the projected outline of the monument, this ditch could well be of archaeological provenance. No diagnostic finds were found within the exposed section of the ditch, although it may relate to an aceramic period.
The second feature, which extended across two trenches, comprised a very substantial linear ditch approaching 5m in width. Again the absence of diagnostic finds within the two exposed sections prohibited dating. High levels of silt and the presence of stone near the base proved enigmatic.
What is beyond doubt is the fact that the two features would have taken a great deal of resources, regarding both finance and labour, to dig; their importance should not therefore be underestimated. Even though there was no diagnostic evidence discovered during testing, this feature may be a component of the above-mentioned monument.
17 Staunton Row, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary
