County: Tipperary Site name: DONASKEAGH
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 06E0185
Author: Linda G. Lynch, Aegis Archaeology Ltd.
Site type: Ring-ditch, Cremation pit and Structure
Period/Dating: Prehistoric (12700 BC-AD 400)
ITM: E 595108m, N 641190m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.522064, -8.072078
Excavations were undertaken at Donaskeagh in advance of a housing development (26 houses proposed, with associated works), following on from unlicensed monitoring of the topsoil-stripping. The development is not located in the vicinity of any known archaeological features.
The complex included a penannular ring-ditch with an external diameter of just over 12m, with a causewayed entrance to the west, a possible cremation pyre, at least one cremation burial pit, isolated pits, and two intense concentrations of pits, post- and stake-holes. The features were spread over an area measuring 110m east–west by 60m. No evidence of habitation was present. The interior of the ring-ditch was virtually sterile, apart from two post-holes which may or may not be contemporary. A number of features (pits, post- and stake-holes) were located outside the entrance. A possible U-shaped structure was tentatively identified in Area B, as determined from the outline of post-holes and pits. This measured 1.6m east–west by 1.7m, with the flat section of the U shape facing north. One pit appeared to represent a cremation burial, albeit with a token deposit. Another elaborate pit, with extensive evidence of burning, is tentatively identified as the site of a cremation pyre. Prehistoric pottery sherds were recovered from three pits in one area (Area A).
Post-excavation work is ongoing at present.
32 Nicholas Street, King’s Island, Limerick
