County: Tipperary Site name: GORTMAKELLIS (Site AR2)
Sites and Monuments Record No.: TI061–011 Licence number: E002816
Author: Eoghan Moore, for Valerie J. Keeley Ltd.
Site type: Castle - tower house, Building, Pit and Cultivation ridges
Period/Dating: Multi-period
ITM: E 609249m, N 643488m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.542657, -7.863643
An excavation took place during October and November in advance of the construction of the M8/N8 Cullahill to Cashel road improvement scheme. Prior assessment and centreline test-trenching was carried out in 2006 (see No. 1865, Excavations 2006, E2395). The site was located adjacent to a tower-house. Excavation to the west, east and south of the castle revealed a number of areas of archaeological activity; these were designated as Areas 1 (A to C), 2, 3 (A to B), 4, 5 and 6 (no work was undertaken in Areas 5 and 6 in 2006).
No diagnostic features or artefacts were uncovered in Areas 1A–C. However, in Area 2 the remains of a circular post-hole structure, along with modern furrows and a natural gravel pit, were uncovered. This undated structure measured c. 13m (north–south) in diameter. In Area 3, the remains of a modern field boundary, along with a parallel field drain, were uncovered. In addition, two small pits were also uncovered. Finally, in Area 4 the remains of a pit were excavated that measured c. 3m (north–south) by 6.2m by 0.9m in depth. Prehistoric pottery sherds were uncovered within a fill of this pit.
Brehon House, Kilkenny Road, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny
