County: Mayo Site name: BALLYGLASS EAST
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: A020/008, E3335
Author: Richard F. Gillespie, for Mayo County Council
Site type: Burnt pit and Fulacht fia
Period/Dating: Prehistoric (12700 BC-AD 400)
ITM: E 547706m, N 800711m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.953073, -8.796707
This area was tested between 13 and 17 June 2005. A possible fulacht fiadh was identified 10m outside the road-take and two further fulachta fiadh occur nearby, one of which (MA063–053, A020/001) was previously excavated as part of this road scheme. As it was likely that further archaeological remains would occur in this section of road-take, it was tested.
The total area tested measured 160m by 50m and was at 72m OD. All of the topsoil was removed from this area, using a mechanical digger with a toothless bucket. The area was excavated to undisturbed subsoil. No finds of archaeological interest were present. However, three pits of uncertain date and function were identified and excavated by hand. These pits were 1.2–0.8m in diameter by 0.5m deep (maximum). They were filled with charcoal-stained silty loam with frequent stones. Samples of the fill have been retained for analysis.
Westport Road, Castlebar, Co. Mayo
