2013:181 - CARRIGANURRA (Site 31-1, 2), Kilkenny

Site 31-1, 2 Carriganurra was discovered during monitoring of topsoil stripping for the Bord Gáis Networks Gas to Great Island scheme (12E0356).

Two distinct areas were examined.

Area 31-1 consisted of five small pits and a deposit. One of the pits yielded 4.6kg of iron slag—mostly agglomerations of slag with hammerscale, slag spheres and charcoal indicative of smithing taking place on the site.

Area 31-2 revealed a large burnt stone mound overlying two pits, five post-holes and three troughs. Two of the troughs were preserved in situ within the pipeline wayleave. The excavated trough was sub-square in plan, measured 1.4m by 1.4m and was 0.2m deep with near vertical sides and a flat base. There were indications that the trough had originally been timber lined, although the material was too badly degraded to be recovered. The overlying mound measured 25m by 20m within the excavated area and was 1m thick. The mound continued to the east outside the pipeline wayleave. A ditch and a drain truncated the archaeological features.