County: Kildare Site name: MULLAMAST
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: E002858
Author: Angus Stephenson, Headland Archaeology Ltd.
Site type: Fulacht fia
Period/Dating: Undetermined
ITM: E 678185m, N 696102m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.009915, -6.834933
This site was excavated as part of the N9/N10 Kilcullen to Waterford scheme, Phase 3: Kilcullen to Carlow. Testing identified the possible remains of a fulacht fiadh, a burnt spread measuring 13m by 8.6m by 0.37m, in the proposed area of excavation. It consisted of charcoal-rich silty clay and frequent heat-affected angular and sub-angular stones, located in low-lying wet pastureland between two small streams.
The extent of the burnt mound was confirmed by full excavation during April and May 2007. A timber-framed trough was found beneath it with thirteen horizontal pieces of wood, probably alder, held in place by three corner stakes on the edge of the former stream channel. The stream bank was revetted with small stakes. A small wooden platform consisting of seven small (,1m long) planks lay beside the trough. Peat deposits overlay a marshy area immediately to the north covering the streambed and had several further stake-holes in it. Several animal bones, mostly from cattle, were recovered from the trough, associated minor amorphous pits and the mound.
No associated finds were recovered, although samples were taken for dating and interpretative purposes, including some from dumped wood, possibly for kindling beside the trough.
Unit 1, Wallingstown Business Park, Little Island, Cork
