County: Galway Site name: Killarainy 1 (Cill Ráine)
Sites and Monuments Record No.: n/a Licence number: E4575
Author: Shane Delaney
Site type: Pit
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 520920m, N 733320m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.344190, -9.187590
Killarainy 1 was excavated (under Ministerial Directions A067), in advance of the N59 Moycullen Bypass in County Galway. The site was discovered during prior testing undertaken in 2014 by IAC Ltd (E4512).
The site consisted of a large irregular pit. It was backfilled with clay and stones and contained some evidence that the stones were scorched, probably before they were dumped in the pit. There was no obvious function for the pit. It may have been a quarry pit that was backfilled or possibly a large cut for the erection of a post associated with the nearby prehistoric activity represented by the burnt mounds of Killarainy 3 and Killarainy 4.
Post-excavation analysis of charcoal recovered from C6/S1, a fill of the pit, indicated that hazel was the only species present. The function of the feature is unknown.
A single find, a retouched artefact classified as a sub–circular convex scraper, was recovered from topsoil at Killarainy 1. Dating the activity at Killarainy 1 on the basis of a single artefact type is problematic, however this find would not be uncommon in a Neolithic or Early Bronze Age context.
IAC Ltd, Unit G1, Network Enterprise Park, Kilcoole, Co. Wicklow
