County: Limerick Site name: Dysert Oenghusa, Carrigeen, Croom
Sites and Monuments Record No.: Enclosure LI030-018001-, church LI030-018002-, graveyard LI030-018003-, round tower LI030-018004- Licence number: E4472; C436
Author: Linda Lynch
Site type: Graveyard, church, round tower
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 549462m, N 641325m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 52.520948, -8.744682
The Office of Public Works (OPW) proposed the construction of an external staircase to access the first floor entrance to the round tower (National Monument No. 83, LI030-018004) as part of the conservation of the site. It was proposed to construct the stairs on three foundation pads adjacent to the tower. Two trenches were to be opened in order to facilitate the construction. The groundworks were monitored by Dr Connie Kelleher, National Monuments Service, under the current licence number. Human skeletal remains were identified almost immediately (NMS), and all groundworks ceased. The writer was subsequently engaged to undertake an archaeological investigation of the site under an amendment to the archaeological methodology for extension of Consent C436, and the transfer of licence E4472.
At the time of the archaeological work, the tower was surrounded by scaffolding in order to facilitate conservation works by the OPW. One of the trenches was located directly underneath the entrance to the tower on the eastern side. This trench (Tr1) measured 3m east-west by 1.5m. The second trench (Tr2) was located 2.5m to the north of Tr1 and measured 2m x 2m. Limestone bedrock was almost immediately exposed at the western ends of both trenches, the areas closest to the round tower. The tower was constructed directly on top of this natural rise of bedrock. It became apparent that significant quantities of disarticulated human bone were contained within any and all exposed layers. In situ skeletons were also identified:an adult and a juvenile were identified in Tr1 while a juvenile and two possible adults were identified in Tr2. In addition, a cut feature was identified in the south-east corner of Tr1. It was apparent that the bedrock dipped significantly in depth from a high point at the western ends of both trenches and therefore the extent of archaeological remains could not have been envisaged. The archaeology could not be fully resolved in the allotted time. A report was completed on the works and forwarded to the relevant authorities for their consideration. Both trenches were fully excavated in 2015.
c/o Munster Archaeology, Ballymacredmon, Butlerstown, Bandon, Co. Cork
