2007:149 - Caherconnell, Clare

A hand-dug trench (5m by 1m) was targeted at the vestigial remains of a rectangular stone-built structure in the northern quadrant of Caherconnell, Cashel. The research excavation produced evidence of a wall, door and floor associated with the rectangular structure that was sealed by tumble. Beneath the floor, stratigraphically earlier archaeological deposits were located. These deposits were rich in faunal and floral remains and a number of artefacts were also recovered. The artefacts included an iron arrowhead, pieces of two quernstones, a stone mould for the manufacture of dress-pins from precious metal, iron slag, a sandstone possible metalworking anvil, a number of nail-like objects, an as yet unidentified conical iron object, a bone comb, the point of a bone pin, hone-stones, a poor-quality chert tool and pieces of flint.
Radiocarbon dates have been obtained for the deposits beneath the floor. These are ad 1017–1188 and 1199–1206 (uba-8563 two sigma) and ad 1400–1525 and 1558–1631 (uba-8565 two sigma). Radiocarbon dates have also been obtained for the construction of the cashel, ad 901–916, 967–1046, 1090–1121 and 1139–1149 (uba-8564 two sigma), and for the floor of the structure, ad 1442–1525 and 1556–1632 (uba-8562).
These dates suggest that the cashel was probably constructed some time between the early 10th and the mid-12th century (insofar as evidence from a single small trench can reflect activity throughout the entire site). This is corroborated by occupation material that dates to between the early 10th century and the early 13th century. There is a hiatus in the excavation record between the early 13th century and the end of the 14th century. After this gap in the record, further occupation debris was deposited and the rectangular structure within the cashel was built and occupied some time between the early 15th and the mid-17th century.