County: Kilkenny Site name: RATHCASH EAST (AR105)
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: A032/136; E3893
Author: Tim Coughlan, Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd.
Site type: Burnt mound
Period/Dating: Undetermined
ITM: E 659356m, N 654589m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.639270, -7.123014
This site was located within the N9/N10 Kilcullen to Waterford road scheme along Contract 2, Phase 4B, Knocktopher to Powerstown, on low boggy ground, which was prone to flooding. Archaeological remains at this site consisted of two east–west spreads (7m by 2.45m and 4.5m by 2m) of burnt material characterised by heat-affected stones and charcoal. Two probable troughs and a further three pits were also identified. The largest trough (1.9m by 1.88m by 0.83m) was circular and contained four fills; the base of the cut was located below the water-table and so naturally filled with water. Although no obvious water supply was noted within the vicinity, the archaeology found at this site is typical of Bronze Age fulacht fiadh or burnt-mound sites. Charcoal samples obtained from the site will hopefully confirm this date.
120B Greenpark Road, Bray, Wicklow
