County: Armagh Site name: SILVERBRIDGE, GLASDRUMMAN
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: AE/07/202
Author: Deirdre Malone and Warren Bailie, Archaeological Development Services Ltd, Unit 6, Channel Wharf, 21 Old Channel Road, Belfast, BT3 9DE. Editor’s not
Site type: Fulachta fiadh
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 687662m, N 845290m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 54.348753, -6.651610
The investigation relates to a proposed extension of the quarry site at Silverbridge, Newry, Co. Armagh. The site is in the townland of Glasdrumman and incorporates two fields at the east extent of the quarry. At the time of excavating, a 30m-high quarry face was situated 10m west of the investigated area.
The proposed development lies within an archaeologically sensitive area with six sites situated within a 2km radius. The closest of these, a bawn and tower house, Glasdrumman Castle (ARM031–027), is located on the east shore of Glasdrumman Lough c. 600m to the south-west.
Monitoring was carried out in October 2007 during the course of which two spreads of possible burnt-mound material were uncovered, one in each of the two fields (Excavations 2007, No. 86). Due to poor weather conditions, the site became temporarily inaccessible, with excavations finally being carried out from 25 July to 1 August 2008.
Area A consisted of a pit or trough infilled with reddened burnt-stone fragments and charcoal, two irregular curvilinear features, a small pit and an ashy spread. In Area B the archaeological deposits consisted of a trough similar to that+of Area A, as well as a linear feature. The linear features observed in each area may have functioned as a means of directing or holding water for use in the associated troughs.
