County: Tipperary Site name: Carrigatogher (Ryan)
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: E002407
Author: Ross MacLeod, Headland Archaeology Ltd, Unit 25 Killerin Park, Liosbaun Industrial Estate, Tuam Road, Galway.
Site type: Multi-period site including hearths with associated stake-hole groups, corn-drying kiln and charcoal-production pits
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 576762m, N 681822m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.886775, -8.345278
Archaeological investigations in advance of the N7 Nenagh to Limerick road project were carried out at Carrigatogher (Ryan) between 25 July and 15 September 2006. A total area of 44,971m2 was fully topsoil-stripped, making it necessary to divide the site into two separate areas. Area 1 encompassed the high ground to the west and north of the site; Area 2 was concentrated along the southern and eastern edge of the CPO.
The dominant feature type was charcoal-production pits, which were located across the majority of the site. An area of intensive archaeological activity was highlighted by the discovery of two hearths with multiple associated stake-hole groupings and pits. Further isolated pits and post-holes were also identified over the site. A well-constructed stone corn-drying kiln, 7.15m long by 3.3m wide with a maximum depth of 1.4m, was also excavated. It was orientated roughly north to south on the downslope of a small rise.
Finds from the site ranged from prehistoric pottery and a possible saddle quern to post-medieval pottery and ferrous artefacts.
Editor’s note: Although excavated during 2006, the report on this site arrived too late for inclusion in the bulletin of that year.
