2006:2097 - CLONGEEN, Wexford

The excavation of a portion of a possible enclosure and an area of burnt material in the village of Clongeen was undertaken in late September–October 2006. The site is located at the south of the village in what was a greenfield site and was detected during testing by Catherine McLoughlin (see No. 2095, Excavations 2006, 06E0187). The excavation was carried out in advance of development and was concentrated at the eastern half of the development and at the north-west of the site. The excavation was generally confined to the footprint of the proposed houses, roadways and gardens. Topsoil measuring c. 0.4m in depth had been removed from the site prior to the commencement of this excavation, uncovering a number of potential features.

The evidence uncovered is suggestive of the partial remains of a millrace. This feature traversed the site for over 125m from the northern boundary to the south-east. The fill of the ditch, gravel and sand, was consistent through the site. Due to the steep sides and its depth, it is likely that the site infilled within a relatively short period. Five distinct fills are visible throughout the ditch. At the south-east of the site the ditch peters out into a mill tail; in this area the fill has a higher clay contact, in common with the change in the natural topsoil and subsoil. Although no mill was uncovered, it may be located in the green area that remains unexcavated or within the existing houses to the north-east of the ditch. Although the other features could not be linked stratigraphically, it is likely that the burnt area C2/3, the linear feature C11 and the large pit C82 may also be industrial in use.

The burnt spread C2/3 was used for processing limestone. Large burnt blocks of limestone were visible adjacent to the burnt spread. These may have been processed in a manner similar to that of a fulacht fiadh, with the large limestone blocks heated and then placed in the trough C111, which shattered them. These were then crushed, possibly in pits associated with pit C108, which was filled with crushed limestone. Processed limestone was used as an agricultural fertiliser or as a mortar for building. This may have been a proto-limekiln, which were common in Ireland in later centuries.

The linear pit C11 and the subcircular pit C82 were to the east of the green area. The main features consisted of two linear cuts. C11, located at the north, had a line of stone sockets on the north and south. There was evidence of an episode of severe burning. To the north of C11 a number of possible stake-holes, post-holes and pits were uncovered. The exact nature and use of these features could not be determined, or indeed if they were archaeological in nature.

The linear feature C82 was located to the south of C11 and extended into the baulk at the west. There were a number of post-holes within the pit and a line of post-holes to the south and east. The exact function of these features could not be ascertained as they extended into the green area, which remains unexcavated. The quantity and size of the post-holes are indicative of a structure, but a pattern could not be determined and no slot-trench was uncovered.

A medieval church is recorded in Clongeen 150m to the north of the site; it is thought that this was built on the site of an earlier structure. At present it is not possible to suggest a period of use for the site or speculate on its potential relationship to the nearby church; however, churches and monastic sites were proto-towns in the Early Christian period. Many were centres not only of religion but also of agriculture and industry. The mill would have been in use for processing cereals and animal management on a medium scale. The site was abandoned by the medieval period and subsequently forgotten. Many Irish early medieval sites are actively remembered in folklore traditions and/or placename meanings. The previous owner of the site knew the field as the ‘town’. Direct evidence for occupation in the form of houses, structural features or hearths was not uncovered during the excavation. This could be partially explained by the location, 150m to the south of the church, of what is likely to be the centre of the settlement.

17 Balmoral Terrace, Dillon’s Cross, Cork