County: Galway Site name: Annagh Hill 1
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: E004092
Author: Liam McKinstry, Headland Archaeology (Ireland) Ltd, Unit 1, Wallingstown Business Park, Little Island, Co. Cork.
Site type: Kiln
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 545386m, N 739764m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.405187, -8.821322
Excavation was carried out at Annagh Hill 1, Co. Galway, in advance of the M17 Galway (Rathmorrissy) to Tuam Archaeological Services Contract (2010) forming part of the N17/N18 Gort to Tuam PPP scheme in County Galway. The Archaeological Services Contract (2010) was commissioned by Galway County Council and funded by the National Roads Authority. Full excavation was undertaken at the site in June 2010.
The site is characterised by a single phase of activity, which was represented by a low mound, into which a stone-lined kiln was built. The first stage of the kiln’s construction began with the creation of a low mound into which the drying chamber and flue were cut and subsequently lined with stone. The kiln consisted of a drying chamber, which was connected to the fire chamber via a flue. The fire chamber was situated at a lower level to the flue and was cut into the natural subsoil. A semicircular slot-trench was cut into the lower edge of the mound, possibly for drainage or for the placing of a windbreak.
Three post-holes were associated with the kiln. The first was located to the south-east, the second was located to the south-west and the third was located to the west of the kiln. Other features which had been identified during the testing phase as pits, upon excavation proved to be evidence of tree/root disturbance or stone sockets.
