2007:123 - Derrygarra Upper, Cavan

Pre-development testing was carried out at a site at Derrygarra, Butlersbridge, Co. Cavan, on 4 and 5 October 2007. The proposed development comprises the erection of both residential and business units with all associated service requirements. The development site is located immediately south of the village of Butlersbridge. The area surrounding Butlersbridge is particularly rich in both prehistoric and Early Christian monuments and a significant amount of raths, enclosures and megalithic tombs have been identified, along with a number of crannogs situated in the nearby lakes to the east of the site.
Test excavation undertaken in the area of proposed development identified a localised area of archaeological activity in the west of the site. This comprised the remains of a fulacht fiadh, c. 8.6m north-east/south-west by 10.6m. The remains were identifiable as a layer, between 0.05m and 0.4m deep, consisting of heat-affected and shattered stones within a charcoal-rich black silty clay matrix. No evidence of associated subsoil-cut pits and troughs was noted elsewhere along the trenches containing fulacht material. No potentially associated material of archaeological significance was exposed in nearby trenches or across the remainder of the site.