2007:1627 - Clash 1, Tipperary

Phase 2 excavations along 17.1km (Contact 1) of the 35km N7 Castletown to Nenagh (Derrinsallagh to Ballintotty) national road scheme was commissioned by Laois County Council and the National Roads Authority. Contract 1 comprises the western half of the scheme and runs from Clashnevin to Castelroan, passing along the Tipperary North and Offaly county border regions. Six areas of archaeology were uncovered during Contract 1 trial-trench testing. Clash 1, Area 4.1, was tested under licence E3378 in 2007 (see No. 1626 above).
A group of pits, stake- and post-holes clustered together in the southern part of the site were excavated. Although no discernible pattern was noted, the four post-holes and eight stake-holes excavated probably represent the remains of a small structure. Four pits were found in close proximity to the structural features and they were possibly related to activity at the structure. The date of this activity is not yet clear.
A field drain was located immediately to the north of the occupation features. This was probably used to drain the agricultural land in the area. Two sherds of post-medieval pottery and an iron object were recovered, indicating that the feature was relatively recent in origin.
Six linear features running north-east/south-west were found in the south-west corner of the site. These features were similar in length, width and depth and they were interpreted as agricultural furrows that were probably relatively recent in origin.