2007:1243 - Pollsharvoge, Mayo

Pre-development testing was carried out on 20 and 21 December 2007 at a site in Pollsharvoge, Swinford, Co. Mayo, due to the proximity of MA061–105, a house site. The proposed development consisted of the construction of a dwelling house, domestic garage, septic tank and percolation area. A site visit showed that the proposed development would not adversely impact on the monument due to its overgrown state and distance from the site; however, during the visit what was thought could be the remains of a fulacht fiadh were discovered within the proposed development site at the proposed garage location. The possible feature was located in a wet part of the site and consisted of a crescent-shaped low bank which contained fractured stone. It measured c. 7m long, 2m wide (maximum) and 0.3m high (maximum).
The site was located in a field of undulating pasture, adjacent to an area of heather-covered bog, visible a short distance away to the north-east. The testing consisted of the excavation (by machine) of five trenches, four to cover the area of the development and one trench to investigate the potential feature. The trenches measured 65.5m, 15.2m, 10.7m, 7m and 6.4m long respectively, 1–1.25m wide and 0.3–1.1m deep.
Testing revealed topsoil above disturbed subsoils and natural subsoils. The topsoil, which was peaty, contained a number of modern pottery sherds and bits of wood. The subsoils contained naturally decayed and fractured stone in places. Nothing of archaeological significance was revealed.
Local knowledge suggested that turf was cut here in the past. This explained the disturbed subsoils and also explained the crescent-shaped bank which at first was thought to be the bank of a fulacht fiadh, but which in all likelihood was a feature which resulted from turf cutting.