County: Wicklow Site name: BALLYNAPARK
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: A022/038, E3223
Author: Goorik Dehaene, for Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd.
Site type: Burnt spread/Fulacht fia
Period/Dating: Prehistoric (12700 BC-AD 400)
ITM: E 727884m, N 683250m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.884909, -6.099795
This site, in Ballynapark, c. 10km north-east of Arklow town in Co. Wicklow, comprised burnt-spread/fulacht fiadh activity. The archaeological investigation was undertaken in June 2006 on behalf of the National Roads Authority on the route of the N11 Rathnew to Arklow road improvement. The site is located c. 100m south-west of WI036–016, an enclosure. The site is also c. 150m south-west of two areas of archaeological potential recognised in the EIS for the project, both possible enclosures, identified through aerial photographic analysis. The site is within a level field and was bounded by a stream to the west.
The excavation comprised three areas within a total area measuring 95m (north–south) by 90m. Area A was 60m by 50m, Area B was 15m by 20m and Area C was 30m by 30m. The natural subsoil undulated gently across the site. All the archaeological material recorded was located on the slightly raised areas. Small areas of peat were identified across the site in the lower areas.
The features identified in Area A included a burnt spread, two pits and a trough. The burnt spread was c. 15m by c. 11m and comprised seven layers of burnt-spread material. The burnt spread was thinnest in the centre, which was also the highest part of the site. The first pit comprised an irregular cut (1.87m by 1.25m by 0.2m) with a single fill. The second pit also comprised an irregular cut (1.54m by 1.12m by 0.23m) with a single fill. The trough comprised a large cut (3.8m north–south by 1.3m by 0.42m). The remnant of wood lining was evident in the base of the trough, which had three fills.
A burnt spread, two pits and a possible post-hole were identified in Area B. The burnt spread was a very shallow deposit of burnt-spread material. The first pit comprised a regular cut (1.4m by 1.36m by 0.4m) with a single burnt-spread material fill. The second pit was a subcircular cut (1.15m by 0.95m by 0.4m), again with a single burnt-spread fill. A possible post-hole was recorded c. 2.5m south of the pits. The post-hole was isolated, making interpretation difficult; however, its location suggests that it represents a fixture associated with the burnt-mound activity. No archaeological material was identified in Area C.
Two flints were recovered from this site.
Coolroe, Tinahely, Co. Wicklow
