2010:063 - Drumnakelly, Armagh

The archaeological deposits investigated under this licence were uncovered during the construction of a 12.5km gas pipeline by Bord Gáis Éireann (NI), running between Kernan, near Gilford in County Down, and the townland of Derryhale in County Armagh. The topsoil-stripping was monitored by ADS Ltd between 29 April and 19 May 2010. The 24m wide pipeline corridor crossed a total of twelve townlands, eleven of which revealed archaeological deposits; this bulletin summarises the archaeological investigations carried out over approximately 1km of the pipeline in the townland of Drumnakelly. These investigations took place between 27 May and 8 July 2010.
Eight areas of archaeology were investigated under this licence, six of which comprised isolated groups of pits of probable prehistoric date but as yet of unknown function, and two groups of possible trough features usually associated with the remains of fulachta fiadh. The remaining two areas comprising possible trough features were separated by the Markethill Road (B78), so they may once have been part of a larger site. The area to the west of the road, 300175 349545, consisted of two large pits, each with charcoal-rich layers and burnt-stone fragments. These features measured 1m by 1.5m in plan and 1m deep, and 3m by 3m in plan and 1m deep. The area to the east of the road, 300231 349482, consisted of five possible troughs, all measuring in excess of 1m in diameter and approximately 0.5m deep. These features were all filled by burnt stone and charcoal. No burnt spread or mound was apparent in either of these areas; this may have been eroded by agricultural activity.