2016:863 - TULYALLEN: The Burris, Louth

An archaeological assessment took place on 28 November 2016 of a proposed single dwelling & associated site works at the Burris, Tullyallen, Co. Louth. The site is located within close proximity to LH024-001 (Church, Graveyard & Architectural Fragments) which is believed to be the site of a late medieval church.

A total of 3 test trenches were excavated within the footprint of the proposed development. The test trenching identified two linear ditches running east-west across the site, both of which contained fragments of red brick that were confined only to the surfaces of the ditches. The remaining fill within both ditches contained no other dating evidence. Both of the ditches contained flecks of charcoal throughout and a considerable amount of charcoal was recorded within two archaeologically excavated sections through both of the two linear features. It appears possible that these ditches may have a date range from the 17th to 18th centuries.

Cartographic evidence suggests that the site of the proposed development once contained a row of dwellings that were constructed sometime before 1777 and were demolished before 1835.

Also during testing a narrow linear slot trench was recorded with an associated pit-type feature. The narrow linear feature produced a single sherd of 13th-century pottery, the presence of which suggests medieval activity within the site of the proposed development.