2014:074 - WESTPORT (Drumard 3), Mayo
County: Mayo
Site name: WESTPORT (Drumard 3)
Sites and Monuments Record No.: N/A
Licence number: 14E0033
Author: Stephen Hourihan and James Hession, Rubicon Heritage Services Ltd.
Author/Organisation Address: Unit 2, Europa Enterprise Park, Midleton, Co. Cork
Site type: Fulacht fia
Period/Dating: Bronze Age (2200 BC-801 BC)
ITM: E 498218m, N 787629m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.828188, -9.546105
Drumard 3 comprised a burnt mound (003) and a partially wood-lined trough (005). The findings of the excavation suggest that the fulacht fiadh at Drumard 3 most likely represents a single phase of activity dating to the Early Bronze Age. Radiocarbon dating of a willow wood sample from the trough lining returned an Early Bronze Age date of 1915 – 1745 cal BC (2σ) (Beta-388034). A fragment of hazel charcoal taken from the burnt mound material (003) also returned an Early Bronze Age date of 1950 – 1752 cal BC (2σ) (UBA-26940). The excavation was undertaken between 22 May and 5 June 2014 in advance of the construction of the N59 Rossow Bends Scheme, Co. Mayo, which extends from Deerpark East townland located to the north of Westport, to Murrevagh townland to east of Mulranny Village.