County: Leitrim Site name: PORTANEOGHT
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A Licence number: 11E034
Author: James Kyle
Site type: Bank and ditch
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 593264m, N 801187m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.959936, -8.102645
A programme of testing was carried out at two areas of archaeological potential. Area 1a was identified from an aerial photograph showing a possible D-shaped enclosure site and Area 1b is an area of wetland. The work was undertaken on behalf of Leitrim County Council as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed N4 Carrick to Dromod Road Scheme. The testing took place between 14 and 15 March 2011.
A total of 1,109 linear metres were excavated within the two areas to be tested. Nothing of archaeological significance was identified in the test trenches. Two trenches were excavated across the boundary ditch of the possible D-shaped enclosure, however, in order to investigate its archaeological potential.
The bank and ditch arrangement is a frequent feature of the Irish landscape. The curvilinear form of this example—as against the typical straight modern and post-medieval examples—suggested an archaeological origin, but nothing of archaeological significance was present in the test trenches.
Irish Archaeological Consultancy Ltd, 120b Greenpark Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow
