2008:772 - Duntryleague, Limerick

Archaeological investigations were carried out by Tracy Collins (Aegis Archaeology) in 2006, as the site of the proposed development at Duntryleague, Galbally, was located within the constraint area of LI049–049 a field system and ringfort (possible). The testing revealed a burnt spread (Excavations 2006, No. 1260) and full resolution of the site was carried out in September 2008. The site is situated in low-lying pasture, very wet at the time of excavation, between the public road to south-east and a low ridge running north-east/south-west immediately to the rear of the site. It faces towards Duntryleague Hill, about 1km to the east, and beyond to Temple Hill at the western end of the Galtee Mountains.
An area 20m by 20m was topsoil-stripped using a flat grading bucket at the location identified in the testing. The topsoil/ploughsoil averaged 0.1–0.35m in thickness. The site sloped to the south-east with the greatest accumulation of topsoil at the north and north-east side of the site. The topsoil cover to the south and south-west of the site was thin. This was also the wettest area and parts remained waterlogged throughout the works. Under the topsoil a concentrated spread of burnt stone and charcoal was uncovered extending across an area of 7m by 6m, approximately in the centre of the site. The burnt-stone spread had survived in pockets around the site but much of the spread had been badly disturbed from post-medieval agricultural activity, including drainage and ploughing. At the south-eastern edge of the concentrated area of the burnt spread two troughs were uncovered. A pit was uncovered to the west of the burnt spread under a thin covering of burnt stone. All of the troughs and pits were earth cut.
The first of the two troughs was rectangular in outline measuring 1.6m by 0.9m by 0.4m deep. The sides had a sharp slope and the base was flat. A clay lining was used to seal the sides and base. Middle fills included layers of silt, charcoal and heat-cracked stone. Upper fill consisted of a layer of grey silt and heat-cracked stone. The second trough was rectangular in outline measuring 1.1m by 0.7m by 0.4m deep. The sides had a gradual slope and the base was flat. The east side of the trough had a step that measured 0.5m by 0.35m wide by 0.1m deep. The lower fill was used as a lining similar to that found in the other trough. The rest of the fills from this trough had less heat-cracked stone and a higher silt content. A single pit was uncovered on the west of the site. It was rectangular-shaped and earth-cut, measuring 1.5m by 1m by 0.25m. The sides had a gradual slope and the base was flat. It was filled by compact silt that contained a high content of heat-cracked stone. Cut into the base of the pit was a single stake-hole.
No datable finds were recovered from the site, but a charcoal sample taken from the first trough will be sent for radiocarbon dating.