2008:111 - Caherloghan, Clare

Test-trenching was carried out in a number of marginal pasture fields to be impacted by the proposed construction of six GAA pitches and ancillary services. The north end of the zone of potential surrounding an enclosure (CL035–038) extends into the development site and the proposed layout of the pitches has been designed to incorporate a buffer zone extending from the outer edge of the monument. The majority of the field boundaries shown within the site on the first-edition OS map have been removed and test-trenching indicated the development site had been impacted on by modern land reclamation works. A levelled fulacht fiadh was uncovered in the north-west quadrant of the site and this was composed of a thin spread of heat-shattered limestone fragments within a charcoal-enriched deposit. Two trench extensions were excavated to the east and west and the extent of the burnt spread measured 5m north–south by 8m. A number of potential pits were also uncovered in the immediate vicinity of the burnt spread. The identified archaeological features were left in situ and it was recommended that they be excavated prior to any development in this area.