County: Tipperary Site name: Rahinane
Sites and Monuments Record No.: TN008:030(001) Licence number: 15E0302
Author: Mary Henry
Site type: No archaeological significance
Period/Dating: —
ITM: E 597393m, N 696862m
Latitude, Longitude (decimal degrees): 53.022439, -8.038858
A programme of testing was implemented at Rahinane, Ballingarry, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary as part of farm re-development works. As part of the planning process the owner was requested to undertake an Archaeological Impact Assessment of the proposed works. These works included the building of a new agricultural livestock unit incorporating an underground slurry storage tank and associated site works. The proposed works were located within the confines of TN008-030(001), classified as a castle (possible site).
The site is situated less than ¾km to the north-west of the small village of Ballingarry. Ballingarry, one of two such named villages in County Tipperary, is located on the Nenagh/Borrisokane - Birr Secondary Primary Route (N52) and situated c. 7km to the north-east of Borrisokane and c. 14km south-west of Birr.
Three trenches were opened upon the footprint of the proposed development. A site inspection identified a flat-topped low mound within the area of the site, which may have been of archaeological potential and associated with the castle. As soon as testing started on Trench 1, it was apparent this area had previously been stripped to the natural formation, probably as part of the ground works associated with the prefabricated slatted shed a short distance to the east.
Whereas Trench 1 was located across the northern extent of the site, Trenches 2 and 3, although still within the footprint, were specifically sited to investigate the provenance of the mound. This, unfortunately, also entailed the partial excavation of a dung heap. Both trenches proved negative regarding archaeological material, with the mound proving to be a natural feature.
17 Staunton Row Clonmel , Co. Tipperary.
